superimpose

verb

su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pər-im-ˈpōz How to pronounce superimpose (audio)
superimposed; superimposing; superimposes

transitive verb

: to place or lay over or above something
superimposed images
superimposition noun

Did you know?

Superimposition was one of the magical effects employed by early filmmakers. Using "mirror shots", with semitransparent mirrors set at 45° angles to the scene, they would superimpose shadowy images of ghosts or scenes from a character's past onto scenes from the present. Superimposing your own ideas on something, such as a historical event, has to be done carefully, since your ideas may change whenever you learn something new about the event.

Examples of superimpose in a Sentence

A triangle superimposed on an inverted triangle forms a six-pointed star.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers then superimposed this combination 3D map of Earth's atmospheric and electromagnetic systems upon the globe and noted where both H. sapiens and Neanderthals had lived. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 Some of these services were natural applications of the technology that ByteDance developed for Douyin and TikTok, like filters that can make people appear much older or superimpose sparkly hearts on their faces. Meaghan Tobin, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 People shouldn’t continue to insist that a dead cat and a live cat superimpose. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2025 Some games, like Super Mario Party Jamboree, will even superimpose a live feed of everyone’s faces next to their characters in-game, for some extra taunting and jeering. New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for superimpose

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of superimpose was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Superimpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superimpose. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

superimpose

verb
su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pə-rim-ˈpōz How to pronounce superimpose (audio)
: to place or lay over or above something
superimposition noun

More from Merriam-Webster on superimpose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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