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

In any case, this Atlanta fight night is blazing hot and Tesehki and Big Lex have carved their piece of the pie. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

The cavity has been carved into the nebula by ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds from massive young stars. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Unlike a sprawling landscape, where distinct areas can be carved out for gardening, entertaining, and lounging, a compact outdoor space demands more strategic planning, with every square foot pulling double duty. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026

The shapes that Heizer carved out of the earth seem both primordial and futuristic at the same time, evoking his fascination with Mesoamerican architecture. — News Desk, Artforum, 14 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