insertion

American  

[in-sur-shuhn] / ɪnˈsɜr ʃən /

noun

1. the act of inserting.

   the insertion of a coin in a vending machine.

2. something inserted.

   an insertion in the middle of a paragraph.

3. Botany, Zoology.

   1. the manner or place of attachment, as of an organ.

   2. attachment of a part or organ, with special reference to the site or manner of such attachment.

4. lace, embroidery, or the like, to be sewn at each edge between parts of other material.

5. Aerospace. injection.

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insertion British  

/ ɪnˈsɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act of inserting or something that is inserted

2. a word, sentence, correction, etc, inserted into text, such as a newspaper

3. a strip of lace, embroidery, etc, between two pieces of material

4. anatomy the point or manner of attachment of a muscle to the bone that it moves

5. botany the manner or point of attachment of one part to another

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Other Word Forms

• insertional adjective
• noninsertion noun
• preinsertion noun
• reinsertion noun
• subinsertion noun

Etymology

Origin of insertion

First recorded in 1570–80, insertion is from the Late Latin word insertiōn- (stem of insertiō ). See insert, -ion

Explanation

An insertion is when you put something into another thing, like the insertion of a key into a lock, or the insertion of a comment into a conversation. You probably notice that the noun insertion contains the verb insert, meaning “put in.” An insertion is something that’s put into something else. It can be used literally to describe, for example, the insertion of a page in a binder, but it also can be used more figuratively. For example, the insertion of the president into office happens every four years. And your brother may constantly make insertions into discussions he knows nothing about.

Example Sentences

During the process, the insertion of a breathing tube damaged his vocal cords, leaving him questioning whether he would ever be able to sing again, he told The Times in 2021.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Select locations will offer laughing gas as a pain reliever for insertion and removal of IUDs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Dry needling is a treatment for pain and movement issues involving the insertion of tiny needles into the body.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

DexCom has since owned up to its reliability issues, saying they originated with the subcut needle insertion mechanism rather than the sensor itself.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

The men went through the insertion door and found themselves in an empty storage room.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• infusion
• injection