a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, glass, etc.
the process of producing such a picture or decoration.
something resembling such a picture or decoration in composition, especially in being made up of diverse elements.
a mosaic of borrowed ideas.
Also called photomosaic. Also called aerial mosaic,. Surveying. an assembly of aerial photographs matched in such a way as to show a continuous photographic representation of an area mosaic map.
Architecture. (in an architectural plan) a system of patterns for differentiating the areas of a building or the like, sometimes consisting of purely arbitrary patterns used to separate areas according to function but often consisting of plans of flooring, reflected ceiling plans, overhead views of furnishings and equipment, or other items really included in the building or building plan.
Also called mosaic disease. Plant Pathology. any of several diseases of plants, characterized by mottled green or green and yellow areas on the leaves, caused by certain viruses.
Biology. an organism exhibiting mosaicism.
Television. a light-sensitive surface in a television camera tube, consisting of a thin mica sheet coated on one side with a large number of small globules of silver and cesium insulated from each other. The image to be televised is focused on this surface and the resulting charges on the globules are scanned by an electron beam.
pertaining to, resembling, or used for making a mosaic or mosaic work.
a mosaic tile.
composed of a combination of diverse elements.
to make a mosaic of or from.
to decorate with mosaic.
a design or decoration made up of small pieces of coloured glass, stone, etc
the process of making a mosaic
a mottled yellowing that occurs in the leaves of plants affected with any of various virus diseases
Also called: mosaic disease. any of the diseases, such as tobacco mosaic , that produce this discoloration
genetics another name for chimera
an assembly of aerial photographs forming a composite picture of a large area on the ground
a light-sensitive surface on a television camera tube, consisting of a large number of granules of photoemissive material deposited on an insulating medium
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French mosaïque, from Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin musaicum, re-formation of Late Latin musīvum (opus), Latin musēum, musaeum “mosaic work,” of obscure origin; variants may show an assumed relationship with Greek mouseîon “shrine of the Muses, museum” by analogy with archī(v)um “archive” though classical Greek word is not attested in the sense “mosaic”; see museum, archive
1655–65; < New Latin Mosaicus, equivalent to Late Latin Mōs ( ēs ) Moses + -aicus, on the model of Hebraicus Hebraic
If you’ve ever seen a piece of artwork where the picture is comprised of little clay tiles, then you’ve seen a mosaic. If you break a nice piece of china, or a stain glass window, you could save the broken pieces for future use in a mosaic. A mosaic is a style of art where a larger image is created by arranging bits of clay, glass, or other materials in a pattern. More broadly, you can use this word to describe anything that is made up of many different elements, such as “the diverse group represented a mosaic of different viewpoints.”
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The beige and blue mosaic of a prancing bull surrounded by a coat of arms is meant to represent the city of Turin, which was the first capital of Italy.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
It included biker jackets adorned with bejeweled crosses and, in the finale, a halter top that featured the Virgin Mary made out of a mosaic of jewels.
From Salon ● May 17, 2026
The floor is a custom mosaic of sea creatures.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
As always, any one data point—even an odd one—is only part of a mosaic investors build to evaluate stocks.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
The only exit was a hole dug in one corner of the floor where the mosaic had been pulled up.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Seen by many as a rising star, she had written for many publications, including Buzzfeed, Private Eye, the Atlantic and Mosaic Science.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
Mosaic is more exposed to phosphate and potash, not nitrogen.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
For Mosaic, the Iran disruption was more of a cost problem.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
As it stands, the fertilizer market is small, with North American companies like Nutrien, Mosaic, and CF Industries accounting for more than $50 billion in global market cap space.
From Salon ● May 15, 2026
In mid-1994, Clark, the founder of Silicon Graphics, had joined forces with Andreessen to found Mosaic, which would quickly be renamed Netscape Communications.
From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman
For example, their 2013 “Tailored Mosaic” line, inspired by the golden mosaics in the Cathedral of Monreale in Sicily, featured garments adorned with angels, saints and Mary, as well as biblical figures.
From Salon ● May 17, 2026
Architectural landmarks and art, including mosaics, frescoes and sculptures, have been rapidly demolished.
From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026
Ancient mosaics, Chinese scrolls, contemporary canvases, photographs and more offer a lush trip through millennia of landscaping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 8, 2026
The grand palace in the luxury Palmeraie neighbourhood of Marrakech has been described as an architectural masterpiece, built by 1,300 craftsmen and featuring ornate carvings and mosaics.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
Hera stared at the fading mosaics of the Olympians.
From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan
In the years since, the images have been mosaicked together, allowing scientists to zoom across Venus’s surface like someone panning through Google Earth and examine old data in new ways.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 15, 2023
A patch of sidewalk embedded with the mosaicked words “Bon-Ton Café” marks the spot of what was, a century ago, Jackson’s toniest restaurant.
From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2022
I could see their mosaicked little faces gliding through the wave as I paddled hard into the pocket, felt the familiar lift, and pounced to my feet.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 30, 2020
In the days of their glory they were mosaicked with blue, green and yellow glazed tiles; but nothing now remains but a few mournful-looking patches of blue, surviving the ravages of time and decay.
From Around the World on a Bicycle - Volume II From Teheran To Yokohama by Stevens, Thomas
Dennistoun says that this study contained "arm-chairs encircling a table all mosaicked with tarsia, and carved by Maestro Giacomo of Florence," but it is now quite bare, though, fortunately, the tarsie are well preserved.
From Intarsia and Marquetry by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
