inscribe

verb

in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb 

inscribed; inscribing; inscribes

transitive verb

1

a

: to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record

b

: to enter on a list : enroll

2

a

: to write, engrave, or print characters upon

b

: to autograph or address (a book) as a gift

3

: to dedicate to someone

4

: to draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible

a regular polygon inscribed in a circle

5

British : to register the name of the holder of (a security)

inscriber noun

Synonyms

• engrave
• etch
• grave
• incise
• insculp [archaic]

Examples of inscribe in a Sentence

They inscribed the monument with the soldiers' names.

The book was inscribed with the author's signature.

Recent Examples on the Web

People inscribe their experiences, their worries and their innermost thoughts during their visits to the bare-bones, rustic cabins of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. —Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 26 Oct. 2024

Archaeologists subsequently uncovered a platform at the site with statue bases inscribed with the names of 14 Roman emperors and empresses. —Patricia Failing, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024

With only 1,258 bottles of Blanc de Noirs Vintage 2015 created globally, each bottle is inscribed with its unique number (1 to 1,258) in addition to its disgorgement date, showcasing the rarity of this ultra-prestige cuvée. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Oct. 2024

The rectangular piece of parchment, inscribed with verses from the Torah, protected her household from harm. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inscribere, from in- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inscribe

verb

in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb 

inscribed; inscribing

1

a

: to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record

inscribe a name on a monument

b

: to enter on a list : enroll

2

: to write, engrave, or print something on or in

inscribe a locket

3

: to dedicate to someone

inscribe a poem

4

: to draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible

a hexagon inscribed in a circle

inscriber noun

Legal Definition

inscribe

transitive verb

in·​scribe

inscribed; inscribing

: to set down in writing (as the terms of a mortgage) to create a lasting public record

inscription noun