insert

1 of 2

verb

in·​sert in-ˈsərt How to pronounce insert (audio)
inserted; inserting; inserts
Synonyms of insertnext

transitive verb

1
: to put or thrust in
insert the key in the lock
2
: to put or introduce into the body of something : interpolate
insert a change in a manuscript
3
: to set in and make fast
especially : to insert by sewing between two cut edges
4
: to place into action (as in a game)
insert a new pitcher

intransitive verb

of a muscle : to be in attachment to the part to be moved
inserter noun

insert

2 of 2

noun

in·​sert ˈin-ˌsərt How to pronounce insert (audio)
: something that is inserted
especially : written or printed material inserted (as between the leaves of a book)

Synonyms of insert

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for insert

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others.

introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

Examples of insert in a Sentence

Verb Insert your credit card here. You need to insert a comma between these two words. insert a space between paragraphs They tried to insert themselves into the conversation. Noun The pot comes with an insert for steaming. advertising inserts in the Sunday paper Each box includes an insert explaining the product's proper use.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Had Kraft Heinz inserted itself into every viral World Cup discussion, the effort could have appeared forced. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
Cover with lid slightly ajar (a flat wooden spoon between the insert and the lid works well), and cook on LOW, stirring occasionally, until peach mixture is jammy and very aromatic, about 6 hours. — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 Except that’s precisely what awards shows are terrible at — those hammy yuk-yuk sketches, or weepy maudlin moments, that struggle to celebrate the industry by interlacing the show with a theatrical insert. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for insert

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin insertus, past participle of inserere, from in- + serere to join — more at series

First Known Use

Verb

1529, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insert was in 1529

Rhymes for insert

See All Rhymes for insert

Browse Nearby Words

in series
insert
insertable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insert. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

insert

1 of 2 verb
in·​sert in-ˈsərt How to pronounce insert (audio)
1
: to put or place in
inserted the key in the lock
insert a word in a sentence
2
: to set in and make fast
insert the tab into the slot
inserter noun

insert

2 of 2 noun
in·​sert ˈin-ˌsərt How to pronounce insert (audio)
: something that is or is meant to be inserted
especially : printed sheets inserted (as in a newspaper)

Medical Definition

insert

intransitive verb
in·​sert in-ˈsərt How to pronounce insert (audio)
of a muscle
: to be in attachment to the part to be moved

More from Merriam-Webster on insert

Nglish: Translation of insert for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All