carving

noun

carv·​ing ˈkär-viŋ How to pronounce carving (audio)
1
: the act or art of one who carves
2
: a carved object, design, or figure

Examples of carving in a Sentence

She bought a small wooden carving of a Buddha. an ancient people proficient in stone carving
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.
Guests can opt for gentle boating: kayaking Lake Taupō to view Māori rock carvings or adrenaline rush: jet boating down the river to the base of Huka Falls. Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Hundreds of finished pieces, ranging from small carvings to life-size sculptures, waited for buyers. Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 Of all the seasonal crafts, this one is the easiest (no carving) and the most satisfying (edible). Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025 Geometric wooden wall carvings are a nod to the Hachiji tattoo traditions native to Okinawa, worn by women as symbols of status, female strength, and protection. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carving

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carving was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carving. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

carving

noun
carv·​ing ˈkär-viŋ How to pronounce carving (audio)
1
: the act or art of a person who carves
2
: a carved object, design, or figure

More from Merriam-Webster on carving

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!