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

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

In recent years, even more so since the passing of Lewis in 2022, Tolliver has worked hard to carve out his own path in music, even while continuing to keep that one-of-a-kind Jerry Lee Lewis style alive. —Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

The platform has been carving out a nonlinear lane for itself, and along the way, Kanabar and her team have remained focused on building an ecosystem of shoppable designers from the continent, including Andrea Iyamah, Rendoll, and Onalaja. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 July 2025

Inland, rocky desert landscapes give way to rolling farmlands, and two-lane highways carve through quiet groves of towering sequoias before climbing into the high, rugged peaks of the 350+ mountain ranges. —Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 17 July 2025

With her bright spirit, Alice has shared her skills with those around her, bringing together young women in her community and inspiring them to carve out their own path. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 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