painting

noun

paint·​ing ˈpān-tiŋ 

1

: a product of painting

especially : a work produced through the art of painting

2

: the art or occupation of painting

Synonyms of painting

• canvas
• mural
• watercolor

Examples of painting in a Sentence

They hung the painting in the living room.

The woman in that painting is my grandmother.

I like painting more than sculpture.

He is studying abstract painting.

She wants to devote all her time to painting.

The room is ready for painting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Constable and Turner remain central to British identity today, their paintings reproduced on coffee mugs and fridge magnets; Church’s position in American culture is more precarious. —Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Once the structure is built, consider painting or staining the wood to both ensure the material's long-term integrity and enhance the overall look. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026

The dress code, Fashion Is Art, is just ambiguous enough to allow for a variety of interpretations—I’ve heard about two attendees who are directly referencing famous paintings. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 May 2026

Instead of sending a work into a packed evening sale, the gallery will offer one painting at a set time to a smaller group of buyers. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing painting

• action painting
• cave painting
• finger painting
• no oil painting
• oil painting
• wall painting

Rhymes for painting

• fainting
• tainting
• acquainting
• repainting

Kids Definition

painting

noun

paint·​ing

1

: a painted work of art

2

: the art or occupation of painting