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

These paintings may be centuries old, but the visual language is timeless. — Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Rather than simply reproducing the work, the designers transformed the painting’s floating metallic bells into a repeating pattern of pink and blue soccer balls. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026

The launch materials are full of claymation selfies, custom postcards, and pets inserted into famous paintings. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Must-see paintings include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch, and Caravaggio’s Bacchus. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 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