inscription

American  

[in-skrip-shuhn] / ɪnˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. something inscribed.

2. a historical, religious, or other record cut, impressed, painted, or written on stone, brick, metal, or other hard surface.

3. a brief, usually informal dedication, as of a book or a work of art.

4. a note, as a dedication, that is written and signed by hand in a book.

5. the act of inscribing.

6. Pharmacology. the part of a prescription indicating the drugs and the amounts to be mixed.

7. British.

   1. an issue of securities or stocks.

   2. a block of shares in a stock, as bought or sold by one person.

8. Also called legend.  Numismatics. the lettering in the field of a coin, medal, etc.

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inscription British  

/ ɪnˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. something inscribed, esp words carved or engraved on a coin, tomb, etc

2. a signature or brief dedication in a book or on a work of art

3. the act of inscribing

4. philosophy linguistics an element of written language, esp a sentence Compare utterance 1

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• inscriptionless
  adjective
• preinscription
  noun
• inscriptional
  adjective
• superinscription
  noun
• inscriptively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of inscription

1350–1400; Middle English inscripcio ( u ) n < Latin inscrīptiōn- (stem of inscrīptiō ), equivalent to inscrīpt ( us ) (past participle of inscrībere to inscribe ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Inscription is a fancy word for “writing” — the act of writing or a small bit of writing. You weren't excited when you received the card, but the inscription inside made you weep with emotion. Here, have a tissue. You can see the word script in inscription which can help you remember its meaning. You might find an inscription on a gravestone, on a locket, on a cufflink, or in a book. You were excited to see the inscription dedicating your friend's novel to you, until you fell asleep before page 10. Then you weren't sure what to say.

Example Sentences

Below that, an inscription will read: “Symbols of local worship places I took my young children to. Thanking America’s freedom of religion. And hoping for a conciliation between Islam, Christianity and other religions.”

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

On the back, the inscription reads "Class Picture 1997".

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Two weeks after that, he sent it back to me with this inscription: “For John Wirth, with my appreciation, John Irving.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

The unearthing in 2018 of a charcoal inscription at Pompeii featuring a date in October has been grist to the mill of those who seek to push the eruption beyond August.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

I opened it to Ben’s inscription and smiled.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• caption
• engraving
• epitaph
• lettering
• signature