insertion

noun

in·​ser·​tion in-ˈsər-shən 

1

: something that is inserted: such as

a

: the part of a muscle that inserts

b

: the mode or place of attachment of an organ or part

c

: embroidery or needlework inserted as ornament between two pieces of fabric

d

: a section of genetic material that is inserted into an existing gene sequence

2

a

: the act or process of inserting

b

: the mutational process producing a genetic insertion

insertional

in-ˈsər-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of insertion in a Sentence

Treatment may include the insertion of a tube in his ear.

The report contains a number of insertions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Boned corsets, drawstring ties, and lace insertions—typically a garment’s underpinnings—are deliberately revealed on several pieces. — Laura Neilson, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026

The media are not allowed to witness key portions of the process, including the insertion of IV lines. — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Nevertheless, the spacecraft will only perform its orbital insertion burn after flight controllers confirm there is sufficient redundancy in systems necessary for its later deorbit burn. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Dynamic number insertion can be combined with multi-touch attribution, an approach that credits each step a customer takes to the specific source rather than just the last click before purchase. — Todd Fisher, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for insertion

• assertion
• cistercian
• coercion
• desertion
• exertion
• mercian
• tertian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Kids Definition

insertion

noun

in·​ser·​tion in-ˈsər-shən 

1

: the act or process of inserting

2

a

: something inserted

b

: the part of a muscle that is attached to a part to be moved

3

: the mode or place of attachment of an organ or part

Medical Definition

insertion

noun

in·​ser·​tion in-ˈsər-shən 

1

: the part of a muscle by which it is attached to the part to be moved compare origin sense 2

2

: the mode or place of attachment of an organ or part

3

a

: a section of genetic material inserted into an existing gene sequence

b

: the mutational process producing a genetic insertion

insertional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective