inlaid
(ˌ)in-ˈlād 
ˈin-ˌlād
; inlaying
1
a
: to set into a surface or ground material
b
: to adorn with insertions
c
: to insert (something, such as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement
2
: to rub, beat, or fuse (something, such as wire) into an incision in metal, wood, or stone
inlayer
noun
1
: inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern
2
: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
Examples of inlay in a Sentence
Noun
The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Olympic organizers have long had the option of nodding to their nations’ culture in their medal designs; at the Beijing 2008 Games, medals were inlaid with a jade disk.
—Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inlay 
Verb
Both open into a stunning double-height atrium topped by a vaulted skylight and displaying hardwood floors inlaid with glass panels.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Olympic organizers have long had the option of nodding to their nations’ culture in their medal designs; at the Beijing 2008 Games, medals were inlaid with a jade disk.
—Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inlay
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Inlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inlay. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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Medical Definition
inlay
noun
in·lay
ˈin-ˌlā
1
: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
2
: a piece of tissue (as bone) laid into the site of missing tissue to cover a defect
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