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

The planet appears to have carved a visible gap inside the protoplanetary disk, giving astronomers one of the clearest views yet of planetary formation in progress. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

The rocket’s upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists — and skygazers — are eager to observe. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Each stone’s etching is intricately carved on the reverse side. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026

Former Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, who has carved out a career as a leading man in Greece, made clear in a recent social-media post that feelings remain for Miami. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026

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