inscribe

verb

in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb How to pronounce inscribe (audio)
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

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 The monument, designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind, is made of bricks inscribed with the names, birth dates and ages of all the Dutch Jews and Romani people who were killed by the Nazis. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Astrolabes may have different plates for use in different latitudes and this one has one inscribed for North African latitudes, which suggests the object was also used in Morocco or Egypt, Almeroth-Williams wrote. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Each sculpture is inscribed with the name of a groundbreaking figure in human history, including Aristotle, David Bowie, Leonardo da Vinci, Gandhi, Billie Holiday, Gabriel García Márquez, Andy Warhol and Virginia Woolf. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 Desch is forever inscribed in each, but the junior’s name isn’t yet written on the one for C. Milton Wright wrestlers who notched 100 career wins. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 The jersey, which D’Amato would autograph and inscribe for the winning bidder, was usually placed into an auction, raising thousands of dollars for charities over the years. Variety, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024 For a gift, the Woods found a Precious Moments angel ornament in the chapel shop inscribed with her name. Edward M. Eveld, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024 Mike Mountain Horse, a member of the Indigenous Kainai Nation, recounted his wartime experiences to Ambrose Two Chiefs, who inscribed them on a buffalo skin to create a traditional war story robe. Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 Subtly adding to the pictures' complexity are white-on-white patterns inscribed in relief behind the figures. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inscribe.' 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, from Latin inscribere, from in- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inscribe was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inscribe

Cite this Entry

“Inscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inscribe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inscribe

verb
in·​scribe in-ˈskrīb How to pronounce inscribe (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on inscribe

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