# insert

/ˈɪnˌsɝt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insert
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to put inside

verb · CEFR B1

to put something into or between other things.

For teachers: to place or fit something into another object or between existing parts. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- Please insert your credit card into the machine to pay for the parking.
- The technician had to insert a small probe into the narrow gap between the engine blocks to locate the source of the leak.

### 2. a leaflet or supplement

noun · CEFR B2

a loose piece of paper, such as an advertisement, placed inside a magazine or newspaper.

For teachers: a promotional or informative leaflet or separate section placed within a larger publication or package.

- The Sunday newspaper always comes with several colourful advertising inserts.
- The marketing department designed a glossy insert for the trade journal to highlight the new product line's technical specifications.

### 3. a mechanical part

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a small part that is made to fit into a larger piece of equipment.

For teachers: a component designed to be placed into a larger assembly to provide a specific function, such as a threaded hole or a protective lining.

- The shoes come with a special foam insert to make them more comfortable.
- The engineer specified a hardened steel insert for the plastic casing to ensure the bolt would not strip the threads over time.

### 4. film or broadcast segment

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short piece of film or a close-up shot added to a larger scene.

For teachers: a pre-recorded segment or a specific close-up shot integrated into a larger broadcast or cinematic sequence to provide detail.

- The director decided to add an insert of the ticking clock to build tension.
- During the live news broadcast, the producer triggered a pre-recorded insert featuring an interview with the local mayor.

### 5. computing key

noun · CEFR B2

a key on a computer keyboard that changes how you type over text.

For teachers: a keyboard key used to toggle between inserting new characters and overwriting existing text.

- I accidentally hit the Insert key and started deleting my previous sentences as I typed.
- Modern text editors often disable the Insert key functionality by default to prevent users from unintentionally overwriting their work.

## Examples

- The magazine comes with a colorful fashion insert.
- The technician replaced the plastic insert in the machine to stop the vibration.
- While the main article provides a broad overview of the era, the historical insert offers a detailed look at the specific laws passed during that decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.