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

Researchers reduced the film’s illumination and superimposed a gray box on the projection area, obscuring the movie. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024

The intimacy of romance is superimposed onto a sugary indulgence. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024

Posobiec also posted multiple memes about the situation, including one showing Walz superimposed into a video of an actual school shooting. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024

In 1994, The Crow was released with Brandon Lee’s face digitally superimposed on his stunt double’s body. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 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