inscription

Everyday

1. Words cut, carved or written on something hard, like stone, metal or a coin. tree →
2. Words written by hand inside a book or on a photo, often to the person it is given to. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons pupils read inscriptions on old stones, monuments and coins to learn about the past. On a trophy, ring or bench the inscription often gives a name or a short message. Phrases: an inscription on, a short inscription, read the inscription.

Examples

• The inscription on the old stone was hard to read. tree →
• Our school trophy has an inscription with the winners' names. tree →
• The bench in the park has an inscription for a kind neighbour. tree →
• Grandad wrote an inscription inside the book he gave me. tree →
• Coins have inscriptions around the edge. tree →
• Archaeologists studied the inscription on the wall. tree →
• The ring had a tiny inscription inside it. tree →
• The houses and bridges were adorned with verses and inscriptions. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Verb: inscribe (inscribed, inscribing). In maths, "inscribed" means drawn inside another shape so it touches it (a circle inscribed in a square) — a different use of the same root. Do not confuse with "description" or "subscription".