bas-relief

noun

bas-re·​lief ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf 

ˌbas-, 

ˌbās-;

ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf, 

ˈbas-, 

ˈbās-

art : sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2)

also : sculpture executed in bas-relief

a limestone bas-relief of a female figure

Illustration of bas-relief

Did you know?

The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language.

Examples of bas-relief in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chapter concludes with the Ipnotica rings and earrings, whose rounded, asymmetrical forms are set with white and brown diamonds to create a sculptural bas-relief effect. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

There are bronze finishes and other ornamental details, like a bas-relief of the city’s famous skyline and a large station clock. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

My chat with Gilberto led to my learning the backstory behind the front desk’s bas-relief mustang stampede. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Four delicate bas-reliefs in granite embellish the pediments over its four entrances. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

The museum’s collection includes a reconstructed 16th-century gold tearoom and a bas-relief bronze by Antoine Bourdelle originally made for the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026

The bridge notably features bas-relief carvings on its bridge houses. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Frosted-glass sconces on the walls bear bas-relief nudes in classical repose. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

In China, there are bas-relief carvings of a fertility ritual that are at least 3,000 years old, making them among the oldest examples of pornography in the world. — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from bas low + relief raised work

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bas-relief

• cloverleaf
• disbelief
• leitmotif
• overleaf
• unbelief
• beef
• brief
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief

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Kids Definition

bas-relief

noun

bas-re·​lief

ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf, 

ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf

: a sculpture in which the design is raised very slightly from the background