lithograph

1 of 2

verb

lith·​o·​graph ˈli-thə-ˌgraf How to pronounce lithograph (audio)
lithographed; lithographing; lithographs

transitive verb

: to produce, copy, or portray by lithography
had his caricatures lithographed
lithographer
li-ˈthä-grə-fər How to pronounce lithograph (audio)
ˈli-thə-ˌgra-fər
noun

lithograph

2 of 2

noun

: a print made by lithography
lithographic adjective
lithographically adverb

Did you know?

Lithos is Greek for "stone", and a stone surface has traditionally been involved in lithography, though a metal plate may take its place today. The lithographic process was invented around 1796 and soon became the main method of printing books and newspapers. Artists use lithography to produce prints (works intended to be sold in many copies), and art lithographs sometimes resemble older types of prints, including etchings, engravings, and woodcuts. Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and M. C. Escher are among the many artists who have used lithography to produce important original works. Today lithographic printing accounts for over 40% of all printing, packaging, and publishing.

Examples of lithograph in a Sentence

Noun a book of his finest lithographs
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
When the Civil War broke out, Lion started lithographing Confederate sheet-music covers for New Orleans publishers. NOLA.com, 11 Aug. 2017
Noun
These lithographs were inexpensive decoration, on the edge of ephemera, often exhibited in light, fading over time, sometimes trashed, sometimes stored in damp cellars. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 Here, 25 lithographs are on display for the first time. James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2024 The artist’s Savoy Pigeons, an 1896 lithograph, pictures two birds, perched on a balcony overlooking the Thames. Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2023 The puzzle-making process is precise but simple: A lithograph (the picture side) is glued to a puzzle board, and then stacks and stacks of the uncut puzzles sit and cure on pallets on the factory floor for at least 24 hours (the entire area is temperature- and humidity-controlled). David Frese, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Arneson is represented by a pair of large, color lithographs with confetti-like markings. Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 There are simple linocuts, as well as lithographs created in collaboration with a master printer. Barbara Schreiber, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Reporters flew first class and Picasso lithographs adorned the walls of an executive dining room. Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2024 The walls of the apartment, on a winding street in the Renaissance quarter of Rome, are decorated with contemporary works by Jannis Kounellis, a Greek artist who scrawled words over his lithographs, and Sidival Fila, a Franciscan friar who paints canvases of sewn fabrics. Jason Horowitz, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lithograph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of lithograph entry 2

Noun

litho- + -graph, after lithography

First Known Use

Verb

1825, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lithograph was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near lithograph

Cite this Entry

“Lithograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithograph. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lithograph

1 of 2 verb
litho·​graph
ˈlith-ə-ˌgraf
: to print by lithography
lithographer
lith-ˈäg-rə-fər
ˈlith-ə-ˌgraf-ər
noun

lithograph

2 of 2 noun
: a print made by lithography
lithographic
ˌlith-ə-ˈgraf-ik
adjective
lithographically
-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

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