carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms of carve

• sculpt

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Astronomers have long suspected that such gaps mark the presence of newborn planets, but this is the first time one has been directly observed actively carving out its orbit. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2025

Oladokun is in line to start the Chiefs’ season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders next week, which comes with an opportunity to carve out a role as Kansas City navigates an offseason without Mahomes. —Kansas City Star, 26 Dec. 2025

But for many pet parents, having a dog or cat hasn’t just meant carving out an extra $50-$100 per month just for food and toys. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025

These canyons are carved by strong currents that funnel sediments, nutrients and organisms through the system. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun