inscription

noun

in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce inscription (audio)
1
a
: something that is inscribed
c
: the wording on a coin, medal, seal, or currency note
2
: the dedication of a book or work of art
3
a
: the act of inscribing
b
: the entering of a name on or as if on a list : enrollment
4
British
a
: the act of inscribing securities
b
inscriptions plural : inscribed securities
inscriptional adjective

Did you know?

With its prefix in-, meaning "in" or "on", it's not surprising that an inscription is either written on or engraved into a surface. Inscriptions in the ancient world were always chiseled into stone, as inscriptions still may be today. The principal monument of the Vietnam memorial in Washington, D.C., for instance, is a black wall on which are inscribed the names of all the Americans who died during the war—each name in full, row upon seemingly endless row. But an inscription may also be a dedication, such as the words "For my wife" all by themselves on a page near the beginning of a book.

Examples of inscription in a Sentence

The painting had an inscription that read, “To my loving wife.” the inscription on a stone monument
Recent Examples on the Web The Greater Antilles and the Yucatán Peninsula form one of the most cavernous regions in the world, and many of these grottos contain precolonial inscriptions. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The first plate also has an inscription with a dedication and signature including the names Isaac and Jonah. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The Uyghur Human Rights Project has called on the world’s governments to challenge China’s inscription of muqam and other Uyghur traditions on the I.C.H. lists. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 But a closer look revealed that Gigante was right: There were both Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions in the bronze. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Police also found photos Henderson posted to social media after the shooting, attempting to trade or sell a gun with a Biblical inscription on it. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 In addition, the longer-term effects of inscriptions on the bitcoin network will remain subject to debate. Liam Wright, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The Romans’ devotion to their dogs shines through in inscriptions dedicated to those who died. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 Archaeologists also found an inscription on the ancient Roman monument but did not provide a translation. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inscription.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inscripcioun, from Latin inscription-, inscriptio, from inscribere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inscription was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inscription

Cite this Entry

“Inscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inscription. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inscription

noun
in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce inscription (audio)
: something that is inscribed

Medical Definition

inscription

noun
in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce inscription (audio)
: the part of a medical prescription that contains the names and quantities of the drugs to be compounded
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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