insert

American  

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

verb (used with object)

inserts, present (3rd person singular) inserted, past participle, past inserting present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has inserted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have inserted
  perfect
• have been inserting
  perfect progressive
• are inserting
  progressive
• am inserting
  progressive 1st person singular
• inserts
  singular 3rd person
• has been inserting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is inserting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• inserting
  participle

Past

• had inserted
  perfect
• was inserting
  progressive singular
• inserted
  participle
• inserted
  simple
• were inserting
  progressive plural
• had been inserting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will insert
  simple
• will have inserted
  perfect
• will be inserting
  progressive
• will have been inserting
  perfect progressive

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; see in- ²

Explanation

When you insert something or someone, you put it into something else. You could insert yourself into a conversation, or you could insert a comma into the sentence you just wrote. The verb insert comes from the Latin in-, meaning “into,” and serere, meaning "to join." When you insert yourself into a conversation, you’re joining in, whether your friends want you to or not. Insert can also mean to fit snugly into, or to tuck. You might fit a card into an envelope that fits it perfectly, or insert first one leg and then another into a pair of tights.

Example Sentences

“The idea was to find ways to insert new homes in existing neighborhoods without disrupting the feel of the neighborhood, but providing lower-cost housing,” she says.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

"The team attempted to insert a central line pursuant to the protocol, but the procedure was unsuccessful," the statement continued.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

NBC now offers them the chance to insert commercials that relate to the action seen on the screen during live sports events.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

Swan, herself no stranger to the wellness-podcast circuit, was careful to insert the caveat that the film is “not a quote-unquote ‘scientific study.’

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Mama kept her voice low as she withdrew a rust-speckled key from her pocket to insert into the massive padlock.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

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