beadwork

noun

bead·​work ˈbēd-ˌwərk How to pronounce beadwork (audio)
1
: ornamental work in beads
2
: joinery beading

Examples of beadwork in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Every Mardi Gras day, St. Joseph’s Day (March 19), and Super Sunday (the Sunday nearest St. Joseph’s day), around 40 tribes march and meet up throughout the city wearing extravagant, hand-sewn suits that draw influence from Native American garb, and Haitian and African beadwork. Millan Verma, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 The Ursula gown fittingly features a mermaid silhouette detailed with tonal sparkle beadwork on the bodice. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 8 Feb. 2024 Ford also is known in her community for her beautiful beadwork and famous frybread. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024 All her beadwork headpieces have a constrictive nun-like look around her face and frame it. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 The artifacts include projectile points that are thousands of years old, as well as baskets, textiles and beadwork from tribal members in the early 1900s. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Simpson was also slightly suspicious of Hoover on account of the volume of beadwork and Native American signifiers that she was known to wear. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 From the patchwork and beadwork by Mickalene Thomas to the beating heart by Joana Vasconcelos, every artist invited into the house maintains her own visual identity. Amy Verner, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023 Several tribes parade during Mardi Gras adorned in elaborate, handmade costumes complete with feathers, ornate beadwork and enormous headdresses. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beadwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beadwork was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near beadwork

Cite this Entry

“Beadwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beadwork. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

beadwork

noun
bead·​work ˈbēd-ˌwərk How to pronounce beadwork (audio)
: ornamental work made of beads

More from Merriam-Webster on beadwork

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