inlay

1 of 2

verb

in·​lay (ˌ)in-ˈlā  ˈin-ˌlā 

inlaid (ˌ)in-ˈlād 

ˈin-ˌlād

; inlaying

transitive verb

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

inlay

2 of 2

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

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

Verb

While the bamboo and bone tiles may be long gone, and the mahjong table is now inlaid with phone charging sockets rather than mother of pearl, the game’s magic remains the same. —Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

Trump leads a reporter into the dining room to The Table — a two-ton marble monster 12-feet long, made in the Medici Marble Works of Florence, inlaid with Persian lapis lazuli, peachstone, red and green jasper, white shell, yellow chalcedony and Oriental alabaster — for a one-on-one interview. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Noun

My test vehicle was equipped with the optional Carrera T exterior package, which includes Gentian Blue accents throughout the vehicle—wheels, slat inlays, door graphics, hood strip, and more (the package also swaps the Vanadium mirror accents for black). —Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Aside from hardware, metallics are being used for cabinet facings, inlays, and even island panels, transforming them into statement design features. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inlay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

inlay

1 of 2 verb

in·​lay (ˈ)in-ˈlā 

inlaid -ˈlād  ; inlaying

: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2 noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: inlaid work or material used in inlaying

2

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

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