carpentry

noun

car·​pen·​try ˈkär-pən-trē How to pronounce carpentry (audio)
1
: the art or trade of a carpenter
specifically : the art of shaping and assembling structural woodwork
2
: timberwork constructed by a carpenter
3
: the form or manner of putting together the parts (as of a literary or musical composition)

Examples of carpentry in a Sentence

He learned carpentry from his father. When the carpentry is finished, the cabinets will be installed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Through the program, I was introduced to women who were breaking barriers in the carpentry field. Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025 The Building Pathways program will guarantee will have guaranteed admission to the top-performing half of each Madison Park graduating class in carpentry; electricity; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); metal fabrication; plumbing; and building and property maintenance. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025 But this is akin to assembling Ikea furniture: Following instructions doesn’t teach you carpentry. Rohan Pinto, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Luckily, the couple have a background in carpentry, conservation and landscaping, and their families work in construction and design. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carpentry

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpentry was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carpentry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpentry. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

carpentry

noun
car·​pen·​try ˈkär-pən-trē How to pronounce carpentry (audio)
ˈkärp-ᵊm-trē
: the work or trade of a carpenter

More from Merriam-Webster on carpentry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!