1
a
: limestone that is more or less crystallized by metamorphism, that ranges from granular to compact in texture, that is capable of taking a high polish, and that is used especially in architecture and sculpture
b
: something (such as a piece of sculpture) composed of or made from marble
c
: something suggesting marble (as in hardness, coldness, or smoothness)
a heart of marble
2
a
: a little ball made of a hard substance (such as glass) and used in various games
b
marbles plural in form but singular in construction
: any of several games played with these little balls
c
marbles plural
: the rewards to be won in competition especially for a championship
—used in the phrase all the marbles
a game being played for all the marbles
3
: marbling
4
marbles plural
: elements of common sense
marble
adjective
marbled; marbling
ˈmär-b(ə-)liŋ 
: to give a veined or mottled appearance to
marble the edges of a book
Synonyms
Examples of marble in a Sentence
Noun
The statue is made of marble.
I love to play with marbles.
Verb
marble the paper with several different dyes to get a striking effect
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
Rooms are almost indescribable, involving fantastical indoor-outdoor spaces, many with private plunge pools, more detailed marble mosaics, and striking marble bathrooms with circular tubs large enough to fit four people.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2023
Beyond the dining area, the open-plan kitchen has a marble island and a brass hood over the range.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
The band is also sharing a companion piece that’s pressed on green marble vinyl.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 14 Nov. 2023
The stand’s round base has a marble pattern which pairs well with the gold bars, making for an elegant piece that’ll sit pretty on a dresser or nightstand.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
Today, that haystack vigil is marked by a Berkshires-quarried marble obelisk topped by an orb, a symbol of the global missionary vision of the young Puritan men who huddled there — for whom neither New England nor the New World were sufficient.
—Andrew Doran, National Review, 12 Nov. 2023
The second-floor hall bathroom and the lower-level bathroom each have a single-sink vanity with a white cultured marble countertop and a gray cabinet.
—Benjamin C Tankersley, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
An emotional chiaroscuro, her facial expression is etched into marble to communicate the extreme agony and ecstasy caused by fleeting contact with the divine and an immense sense of loss brought on by the knowledge that such a momentous experience must soon come to an end.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2023
G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023
Look for them in festive red, hot pink, cream, white, apricot, or with marbling, speckles, or streaks.
—Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2023
After the eggs soak in the dye, pat them with a paper towel and add pencil details to create a marbling effect.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Christine teaches block printing, indigo dyeing, tie-dyeing, weaving, marbling, screen printing, batik, and cyanotyping.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
The set sold as a digital download album, double-CD, double-cassette and in three color vinyl LP variants (orchid marbled, violet marbled and a Target-exclusive lilac marbled color).
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 16 July 2023
The can is marbled with hyperpop swirls and announcements of its 0 grams of sugar and monk fruit sweetener.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 11 July 2023
Here’s what Goodson suggests: Watch out for marbling The white lines running through meat – often steak – give it a marbled appearance.
—USA TODAY, 2 July 2023
When selecting meat for barbecuing, perhaps the most important thing to look for is marbling and internal fat content.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Anchorage Daily News, 1 July 2023
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Noun
Even after all the work, most of the original building’s details remain, including its distinctive red marble flooring.
—Megan Wood, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
Rooms are almost indescribable, involving fantastical indoor-outdoor spaces, many with private plunge pools, more detailed marble mosaics, and striking marble bathrooms with circular tubs large enough to fit four people.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Nov. 2023
Beyond the dining area, the open-plan kitchen has a marble island and a brass hood over the range.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023
The band is also sharing a companion piece that’s pressed on green marble vinyl.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 14 Nov. 2023
The stand’s round base has a marble pattern which pairs well with the gold bars, making for an elegant piece that’ll sit pretty on a dresser or nightstand.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023
Today, that haystack vigil is marked by a Berkshires-quarried marble obelisk topped by an orb, a symbol of the global missionary vision of the young Puritan men who huddled there — for whom neither New England nor the New World were sufficient.
—Andrew Doran, National Review, 12 Nov. 2023
The second-floor hall bathroom and the lower-level bathroom each have a single-sink vanity with a white cultured marble countertop and a gray cabinet.
—Benjamin C Tankersley, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023
An emotional chiaroscuro, her facial expression is etched into marble to communicate the extreme agony and ecstasy caused by fleeting contact with the divine and an immense sense of loss brought on by the knowledge that such a momentous experience must soon come to an end.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2023
Verb
Get the recipe: Caldo Verde A little while later, a server brought us two small bowls of a creamy golden broth, marbled with green.
—G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023
Look for them in festive red, hot pink, cream, white, apricot, or with marbling, speckles, or streaks.
—Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2023
After the eggs soak in the dye, pat them with a paper towel and add pencil details to create a marbling effect.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Christine teaches block printing, indigo dyeing, tie-dyeing, weaving, marbling, screen printing, batik, and cyanotyping.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
The set sold as a digital download album, double-CD, double-cassette and in three color vinyl LP variants (orchid marbled, violet marbled and a Target-exclusive lilac marbled color).
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 16 July 2023
The can is marbled with hyperpop swirls and announcements of its 0 grams of sugar and monk fruit sweetener.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 11 July 2023
Here’s what Goodson suggests: Watch out for marbling The white lines running through meat – often steak – give it a marbled appearance.
—USA TODAY, 2 July 2023
When selecting meat for barbecuing, perhaps the most important thing to look for is marbling and internal fat content.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Anchorage Daily News, 1 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing marble
Dictionary Entries Near marble
Cite this Entry
“Marble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marble. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
marble
1 of 2 noun
mar·ble
ˈmär-bəl
1
a
: a limestone that takes a high polish and is used in architecture and sculpture
b
: something made from marble
especially
: a piece of sculpture
2
a
: a little ball (as of glass) used in various games
b
plural
: a children's game played with these little balls
marble
adjective
marble
2 of 2 verb
marbled; marbling
ˈmär-b(ə-)liŋ
: to give a streaked, spotted, or blotched appearance to (as by staining)
marble the edges of a book
More from Merriam-Webster on marble
Nglish: Translation of marble for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of marble for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marble
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