inscription

American  

[in-skrip-shuhn] / ɪnˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

inscriptions plural

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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inscriptions
  plural

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

Just over a year after the unveiling of the "Frankfurt Silver Inscription" -- the oldest known Christian written testimony north of the Alps -- attention is once again turning to this ancient site.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Historians quickly dismiss the so-called Smallfoot Inscription as a forgery.

From Slate • Apr. 26, 2018

Reflecting Volvo’s increased emphasis on the rear cabin—where most owners would sit in China, don’t you know—the Inscription package includes rear power window shades and four-zone climate control.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2018

The Inscription model tested will drain your checking account of $84,005, though prices start at $69,095.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2016

Inscription on a Guinea of George III.—Round the reverse of a guinea of George III.,

From Notes and Queries, Number 81, May 17, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

Related Words

• caption
• engraving
• epitaph
• lettering
• signature