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.

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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

• 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

See Examples For:

inscription inscriptions

He directed the board to notify him when the endowment has raised the money and give the court at least 60 day’s notice before it installs an inscription.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

According to the Times, he added an inscription: "Perhaps this is the only book in this library which will bring true profit to its readers".

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

"The inscription was very beautiful," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

Veteran Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa posted a photo wearing a cowboy hat bearing the “¿Y si sí?” inscription.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

“And the sword,” said Ron finally, when they had at last abandoned their attempts to divine meaning in the Snitch’s inscription.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

The MLB issued the players who added inscriptions to their caps a warning Monday for violating the league’s uniform policy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

The craftsman is getting ready to add the finishing touches, inscriptions or designs, to his work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Once-common literary references to Shakespeare or Dickens have now become as obscure in the common culture as so many Mayan inscriptions.

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026

Golden inscriptions read "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" on opposite sides.

From Barron's ● Apr. 11, 2026

More precisely: a former mosque, with minaret torn down and Koranic inscriptions plastered over to provide a fresh canvas for the Christian saints that are, even now, being painted on the interior.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• caption
• engraving
• epitaph
• lettering
• signature