marbling

noun

mar·​bling ˈmär-b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: the action or process of making like marble especially in coloration

2

: coloration or markings resembling or suggestive of marble

3

: an intermixture of fat and lean especially when evenly distributed in a cut of meat

Examples of marbling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chuck and bavette steaks benefit from good marbling, heavy seasoning, and high-heat cooking or marination for the best results. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025

The Baby, That's Show Business vinyl comes in two colors: lakeside beach blue sparkle, which is a blue vinyl with black marbling and iridescent glitter, and lovely bouquet golden, which is an opaque golden yellow metallic vinyl with orange and red splatter. —Alex Ross, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

This generates an almost perfect marbling between meat and fat and a soft muscle, which makes for tasty and tender meat. —Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

While Wagyu, noted for its high ratio of fat marbling that lends the meat its signature tenderness, is pretty pricey compared to other types of beef, like Angus or Hereford. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

marbling

noun

mar·​bling

: a mixture of fat and lean in a cut of meat