superimpose

verb

su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pər-im-ˈpōz 

superimposed; superimposing; superimposes

transitive verb

: to place or lay over or above something

superimposed images

superimposition

ˌsü-pər-ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

Did you know?

Superimposition was one of the magical effects employed by early filmmakers. Using "mirror shots", with semitransparent mirrors set at 45° angles to the scene, they would superimpose shadowy images of ghosts or scenes from a character's past onto scenes from the present. Superimposing your own ideas on something, such as a historical event, has to be done carefully, since your ideas may change whenever you learn something new about the event.

Examples of superimpose in a Sentence

A triangle superimposed on an inverted triangle forms a six-pointed star.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists say the unfolding El Niño event superimposed on long-term global warming is a primary driver of this huge spike in global surface temperatures since mid-2023. —Dan Peck, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025

The result was fully in character, photographed in murky black-and-white for a worldwide online audience, and layered with Lynchian imagery and juxtapositions: smoke, fire, strange objects and dead animals superimposed over the band. —Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025

The researchers did note that superimposing NMES on RT for eight to 16 weeks resulted in greater increases in muscle mass compared to training for two to eight weeks. —New Atlas, 13 Jan. 2025

Watch on Deadline Netflix accompanied the anno with some comical first looks of Atkinson superimposed onto some of its big hits, which can be viewed below. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

superimpose

verb

su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pə-rim-ˈpōz 

: to place or lay over or above something

superimposition

-ˌrim-pə-ˈzish-ən 

noun