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 of carve

• sculpt

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

Occupying a calm spot beside the Rutland River, the petroglyph is thought to have been carved about 1,700 years ago by the Arawak people. — James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Viewed as a possible 2028 presidential contender, Murphy has carved out a position as a foreign policy leader and champion of aggressive executive branch oversight. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

The Americans With Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990, has spurred much progress in carving out that space. — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

Its centerpiece was an enormous round stone, which had been carved to look like an Aztec-style skull. — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

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