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

These signs recur throughout the annals of early Chinese history: unicorns; phoenixes; albino fish with red characters inscribed on their faces; dragons and turtles with mysterious inscriptions on their backs; iridescent earthworms; and more. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 2 Dec. 2024

The ones inscribed along the edge of the Edwards Plateau, such as the Barton Creek greenbelt, are often the most dramatic because of the creekside bald cypresses. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Nov. 2024

Behind the Corydon Central bench sat a wood cross with Gerlach's name inscribed. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 19 Oct. 2024

Once the elections are over, some of those names fade into obscurity whereas others become inscribed in history. —Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 30 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