1
: a usually miniature representation of something
a plastic model of the human heart
also
: a pattern of something to be made
2
a
: a type or design of product (such as a car)
offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible
b
: a type or design of clothing
girls, self-conscious in their Paris models—
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
4
5
: an example for imitation or emulation
his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style—A. B. Noble
A. B. Noble6
: one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise
has appeared as a model in ads for swimsuits
7
: a person or thing that serves as a pattern for an artist
especially
: one who poses for an artist
His wife served as the model for many of his paintings.
8
: version sense 2
an experimental model of a bionic arm
9
: a description or analogy used to help visualize something (such as an atom) that cannot be directly observed
10
: structural design
a home on the model of an old farmhouse
11
: an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates
12
14
obsolete
: a set of plans for a building
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
ˈmäd-liŋ,
ˈmä-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model
modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.
2
a
: to shape or fashion in a plastic material
modeling figures from clay
b
: to produce a representation or simulation (see simulation sense 3a) of
using a computer to model a problem
3
: to display by wearing, using, or posing with
modeled gowns
4
: to plan or form after a pattern : shape
legislative institutions primarily modeled on the English pattern
5
archaic
: to make into an organization (such as an army, government, or parish)
1
: to work or act as a fashion or art model
Each contestant modeled in front of the judges.
2
: to design or imitate forms : make a pattern
The students are modeling in clay.
1
: serving as or capable of serving as a pattern
a model student
2
: being a usually miniature representation of something
a model airplane
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
She's building a model of the Earth for science class.
a plastic model of the human heart
We've improved on last year's model, making the car safer and easier to control.
He bought one of the old 1965 models.
We couldn't afford one of the fancy TVs and had to buy the standard model.
We've developed a computer model of the economy to predict what will happen in the future.
Companies are developing new business models.
Verb
The faces of the gods were modeled in white stone.
They're modeling this year's new spring fashions.
She got a job modeling shoes for a catalog company.
a fashion model who has angered animal lovers by modeling fur coats
Adjective
Our university has a model program for training its athletes.
why can't you be like your sister, who is such a well-behaved model child?
See More
Recent Examples on the WebDan Diclerico, goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023
This model is 10 inches long, but a variety of lengths are available, from 9 to 22 inches.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2023
Photogrammetry involves taking overlapping photographs of an object, structure or space, and converting them into 2D or 3D digital models.
—Henry Austin, NBC News, 17 May 2023
But today’s technologies, including advanced robotics and sensors, can scan and capture an incredible amount of data from structures incredibly quickly, while current A.I. models are constantly breaking the barriers of what is thought to be possible in terms of making that data useful for humans.
—Jake Loosararian, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Slotting above the base model is the plug-in turbo V-6 Cayenne E-Hybrid with 463 horses at $93,350.
—Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 16 May 2023
Martha Stewart has made history as the oldest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model ever on Monday.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 15 May 2023
The latest sale, however, sets a whole new bar for the model.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 May 2023
Jagger also shares children Gabriel, 25, Georgia May, 31, James, 37, and Elizabeth, 39, with model Jerry Hall; Jade, 51, with ex-wife Bianca Jagger; and Karis, 52, with actress Marsha Hunt.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023
Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 May 2023
Alternatively, the manager can model the behavior by starting a casual conversation and drawing their report in.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 10 May 2023
The committee is reportedly modeled after the Church Committee, a 1970s Senate body that examined the FBI, CIA, and IRS.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 10 May 2023
The wage data bill is modeled on the work of the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, which has been aggregating gender and racial wage gap data from about 250 employers on a voluntary basis.
—Shirley Leung, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023
Brain was modeled more on legendary corporate research labs such as Bell Labs or Xerox PARC.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2023
His style has even landed him modeling gigs for the streetwear brand Kith.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2023
The Katara Towers, the near-circular building modeled on the scimitar swords that make up Qatar’s emblem, play host to two luxury hotels, the Fairmont Doha and the all-suite Raffles Doha, the country’s first six-star hotel.
—Ulrike Lemmin-woolfrey, CNN, 24 Apr. 2023
Eugene’s ordinance, which was modeled on Berkeley’s, was to take effect for building permits submitted on or after June 30.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 20 Apr. 2023
Andrew Birkle, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2023
The firm has also previously sued the state education department because its model ethnic studies curriculum contained an affirmation that the firm claimed constituted an Aztec prayer.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
The model minority myth, Thanh notes, paints AAPI people as never in need of assistance.
—Thuc Doan Nguyen, refinery29.com, 4 May 2023
In a day and age when too many are cynical about public service, McColgan was the model public servant, and, even rarer, an actual scholar and gentleman.
—Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023
Below, more from Longendyke on the secrets to her model-esque skin, her signature pose, and how modeling prompted her to accept her freckles.
—ELLE, 15 Mar. 2023
For nearly half a century, Portland was lauded as a model American metropolis, thanks to public and private initiatives, its waterfront and its proximity to mountains and coast.
—Jenny Jarvie, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2023
By all accounts, Jerving was a model public servant.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023
President Biden praised retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer as a model public servant Thursday and reaffirmed his commitment to nominate a Black woman to fill his seat, pledging to make an announcement before the end of February.
—Sabrina Siddiqui, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2022
See More
Noun
Beyond its moisture-removal capability, this model stood out to our testers for its quiet operation and many user-friendly features.
—Dan Diclerico, goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023
This model is 10 inches long, but a variety of lengths are available, from 9 to 22 inches.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2023
Photogrammetry involves taking overlapping photographs of an object, structure or space, and converting them into 2D or 3D digital models.
—Henry Austin, NBC News, 17 May 2023
But today’s technologies, including advanced robotics and sensors, can scan and capture an incredible amount of data from structures incredibly quickly, while current A.I. models are constantly breaking the barriers of what is thought to be possible in terms of making that data useful for humans.
—Jake Loosararian, Fortune, 16 May 2023
Slotting above the base model is the plug-in turbo V-6 Cayenne E-Hybrid with 463 horses at $93,350.
—Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 16 May 2023
Martha Stewart has made history as the oldest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model ever on Monday.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 15 May 2023
The latest sale, however, sets a whole new bar for the model.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 May 2023
Jagger also shares children Gabriel, 25, Georgia May, 31, James, 37, and Elizabeth, 39, with model Jerry Hall; Jade, 51, with ex-wife Bianca Jagger; and Karis, 52, with actress Marsha Hunt.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 14 May 2023
Verb
While pre-med at NYU, Zeman did sporadic jobs including modeling and shooting covers for romance novels.
—Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 May 2023
Alternatively, the manager can model the behavior by starting a casual conversation and drawing their report in.
—Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 10 May 2023
The committee is reportedly modeled after the Church Committee, a 1970s Senate body that examined the FBI, CIA, and IRS.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 10 May 2023
The wage data bill is modeled on the work of the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, which has been aggregating gender and racial wage gap data from about 250 employers on a voluntary basis.
—Shirley Leung, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023
Brain was modeled more on legendary corporate research labs such as Bell Labs or Xerox PARC.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2023
His style has even landed him modeling gigs for the streetwear brand Kith.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2023
The Katara Towers, the near-circular building modeled on the scimitar swords that make up Qatar’s emblem, play host to two luxury hotels, the Fairmont Doha and the all-suite Raffles Doha, the country’s first six-star hotel.
—Ulrike Lemmin-woolfrey, CNN, 24 Apr. 2023
Eugene’s ordinance, which was modeled on Berkeley’s, was to take effect for building permits submitted on or after June 30.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 20 Apr. 2023
Adjective
His low-maintenance mentality and consistent approach helped the Spurs be the model NBA franchise for almost 20 years.
—Andrew Birkle, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2023
The firm has also previously sued the state education department because its model ethnic studies curriculum contained an affirmation that the firm claimed constituted an Aztec prayer.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
The model minority myth, Thanh notes, paints AAPI people as never in need of assistance.
—Thuc Doan Nguyen, refinery29.com, 4 May 2023
In a day and age when too many are cynical about public service, McColgan was the model public servant, and, even rarer, an actual scholar and gentleman.
—Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Apr. 2023
Below, more from Longendyke on the secrets to her model-esque skin, her signature pose, and how modeling prompted her to accept her freckles.
—ELLE, 15 Mar. 2023
For nearly half a century, Portland was lauded as a model American metropolis, thanks to public and private initiatives, its waterfront and its proximity to mountains and coast.
—Jenny Jarvie, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2023
By all accounts, Jerving was a model public servant.
—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023
President Biden praised retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer as a model public servant Thursday and reaffirmed his commitment to nominate a Black woman to fill his seat, pledging to make an announcement before the end of February.
—Sabrina Siddiqui, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'model.' 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
Noun and Verb
Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus small measure, from modus
First Known Use
Noun
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 14
Verb
1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4
Adjective
1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing model
Dictionary Entries Near model
Cite this Entry
“Model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/model. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
model
1 of 3 noun
mod·el
ˈmäd-ᵊl
1
a
: a small but exact copy of something
a ship model
b
: a pattern or figure of something to be made
clay models for a statue
2
: a person who sets a good example
a model of politeness
3
a
: a person or thing that serves as an artist's pattern
especially
: a person who poses for an artist or photographer
b
: a person who wears in the presence of customers garments that are for sale or who poses for ads for merchandise (as clothes)
4
: type entry 1 sense 2b, kind
our car is a late model
5
a
: a description or construction used to help form a picture of something (as an atom) that cannot be seen directly
a model of a DNA molecule
b
: a computer simulation
climate models
model
3 of 3 adjective1
: serving as or worthy of being a pattern
a model student
2
: being a miniature copy of something
a model airplane
Medical Definition
model
1 of 2 noun
mod·el
ˈmäd-ᵊl
1
a
: a pattern of something to be made : a cast of a tooth or oral cavity
2
: something (as a similar object or a construct) used to help visualize or explore something else (as the living human body) that cannot be directly observed or experimented on see animal model
3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
model
2 of 2 transitive verb
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
ˈmäd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ
: to produce (as by computer) a representation or simulation of
More from Merriam-Webster on model
Nglish: Translation of model for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of model for Arabic Speakers
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