insert

American  

[in-surt, in-surt] / ɪnˈsɜrt, ˈɪn sɜrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to put or place in.

   to insert a key in a lock.

2. to introduce or cause to be introduced into the body of something.

   to insert an extra paragraph in an article.

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noun

1. something inserted or to be inserted.

2. an extra leaf or section, printed independently, for binding or tipping into a book or periodical, especially a leaf or section consisting of an illustration or advertisement printed on different paper.

3. any small picture, device, etc., surrounded partly or completely by body type.

4. a paper, circular, etc., placed within the folds of a newspaper or the leaves of a book, periodical, etc.

5. Movies, Radio and Television. cut-in

insert British  

verb

1. to put in or between; introduce

2. to introduce, as into text, such as a newspaper; interpolate

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noun

1. something inserted

2. 1. a folded section placed in another for binding in with a book

   2. a printed sheet, esp one bearing advertising, placed loose between the leaves of a book, periodical, etc

3. another word for cut in

Other Word Forms

• insertable adjective
• inserter noun
• interinsert verb (used with object)
• preinsert verb (used with object)
• reinsert verb (used with object)
• subinsert verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of insert

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin insertus, past participle of inserere “to put in, insert,” equivalent to in- “in” + ser- (stem of serere “to link together”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ²

Example Sentences

In one test, I intended to type “because we” and the keyboard failed to insert the “w.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

If his defining characteristic weren’t competence, Piggy could easily insert him into a cover of “Manchild” instead of duetting with Carpenter in a performance of “Islands in the Stream.”

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Then, Neuralink uses a robot to insert microscopic threads into the brain.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

"Clear guidelines in the package insert and on the label, such as the duration of use, warning signs, and possible drug interactions, help consumers make informed decisions."

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

As originally taped, Jones took long pauses between letters, because the idea was to insert other elements between the letters.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• embed
• enter
• fill in
• imbed
• implant
• include
• inject
• introduce
• stick