carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms

• sculpt
• sculpture

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Riz Ahmed is carving out a niche in the action-thriller space. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 13 June 2025

Exceptions for wilderness, national parks The Senate provision would carve out certain lands from being sold, including national monuments, wilderness areas, national conservation areas, national parks and national recreation areas. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 12 June 2025

Following in her mom's footsteps, Jasmine has carved out her path in the world of dance, working as a choreographer, cheerleader and performer. —Nasha Smith, People.com, 12 June 2025

Starting among the orange rocks, vaults, and spires of Arches National Park and passing through with the Colorado River–carved crevices of Canyonlands, this journey feels like a visit to Mars. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun