model

noun

mod·el | \ ˈmä-dᵊl

Definition of model

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 obsolete : a set of plans for a building

2 dialectal British : copy, image

3 : structural design a home on the model of an old farmhouse

4 : a usually miniature representation of something a plastic model of the human heart also : a pattern of something to be made

5 : an example for imitation or emulation his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style— A. B. Noble

6 : 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.

7 : archetype

8 : an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates

9 : one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise has appeared as a model in ads for swimsuits

10a : a type or design of clothing girls, self-conscious in their Paris models— Paul Bowles

b : a type or design of product (such as a car) offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible

11 : a description or analogy used to help visualize something (such as an atom) that cannot be directly observed

12 : a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs also : a computer simulation (see simulation sense 3a) based on such a system climate models

13 : version sense 2 an experimental model of a bionic arm

14 : animal model

model

verb

modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling\ ˈmäd-liŋ , ˈmä-dᵊl-iŋ

Definition of model (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to plan or form after a pattern : shape legislative institutions primarily modeled on the English pattern

2 archaic : to make into an organization (such as an army, government, or parish)

3a : 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

4 : to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.

5 : to display by wearing, using, or posing with modeled gowns

intransitive verb

1 : to design or imitate forms : make a pattern The students are modeling in clay.

2 : to work or act as a fashion or art model Each contestant modeled in front of the judges.

model

adjective

Definition of model (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : serving as or capable of serving as a pattern a model student

2 : being a usually miniature representation of something a model airplane

Other Words from model Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about model

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Choose the Right Synonym for model

Noun

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation. model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation. a decor that is a model of good taste example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning. children tend to follow the example of their parents pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype. American industry set a pattern for others to follow exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification. cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception. never found a job that matched his ideal

Noun

model, example, and ideal mean something that serves as guidance or imitation. model is used for a thing or person very worthy of imitation. That school system can be a model for the whole state. example usually means that the person, act, or conduct is likely to be copied, even though this may not always be a good thing. Parents are examples for their children. ideal is used for something, either real or imagined, considered to be the best of its kind that can exist. She is the ideal of beauty.

Examples of model in a Sentence

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?

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

However, with many dads in the U.K. now choosing to take off more than the traditional two weeks, Harry and Meghan could choose to follow something closer to this model. — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, "How Will Meghan Markle's Maternity Leave Compare with Queen Elizabeth's?," 14 Apr. 2019 The show featured looks from the Spring 2019 collections on the industry’s top male models. — Ian Malone, Vogue, "This Year’s Jeffrey Fashion Cares Event Unfolded in Spectacular Fashion," 11 Apr. 2019 Read quick reviews of our top five hiking boots below, or scroll down for more options and full details on each model. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Hiking Boots for Exploring the Outdoors," 9 Apr. 2019 One quick look at Hailey's page shows that there are very few in-the-moment shots of the model. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "These Photos of Hailey Baldwin's Bare Stomach Prove She's For Sure Not Pregnant," 1 Apr. 2019 The latter happened to model Olivia Anakwe, who took to Instagram to voice her troubles backstage at Paris Fashion Week. — Jessica Andrews, Teen Vogue, "Model Olivia Anakwe Calls Out Hairstylists Who Can’t Do Black Hair at Fashion Shows," 8 Mar. 2019 His Fall 1997 show featured models in tunics that replicated fitting mannequins, jackets of pattern paper and pieces with basting stitches still in place. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "Ghosting—The Fall Fashion Edition," 1 Apr. 2019 Wow's contagious business model hastened its unraveling. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Are the Discount Airlines Doomed?," 29 Mar. 2019 The ladies in question: Russian supermodel Irina Shayk, Chinese actress Maggie Jiang, Korean actress Jung Eun-Chaem, and Japanese model-actress Nana Eikura. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "Tod's Reimagines an Iconic Design With the D-Styling Handbag," 29 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After an exhausting week of in-fighting, several sources say the Murdochs put their knives away and sit down to watch the drama closely modeled on their real-time dynastic struggle. — Ben Widdicombe, Town & Country, "Confirmed: Yes, Rupert Murdoch's Family Enjoys Watching "Succession"," 8 Apr. 2019 Cuthbert used to be a social worker in Canada, specializing in mental health and addictions counseling, while modeling on the side. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "'Fiji Water Girl' Kelleth Cuthbert Tells Us: 'This Is Something I Would Go Viral For'," 7 Jan. 2019 Nikolayeva, the representative said, tapped Butina to become the face of her pet project — a lobbying group that would come to be known as The Right to Bear Arms, modeled on the NRA. — Matthew Bodner And Angela Charlton, Fox News, "Misfire: Maria Butina's strange route from Russia to US jail," 10 Sep. 2018 Wheeler introduced her bill, modeled on Kentucky’s law, on July 3, meaning it may only be considered in the few remaining weeks of the legislative sessions this fall or winter. — Robert Mccoppin, chicagotribune.com, "Legal fireworks in Illinois? Despite annual injury toll, lawmaker proposes that state join pyrotechnics market," 10 July 2018 Others are more debatably objectionable, such as unofficial Lego-style figures modeled on German World War 2 soldiers. — David Z. Morris, Fortune, "Amazon Sold Books, Backpacks, and Toys Promoting Hate to Kids, Report Shows," 7 July 2018 The original workshop in 1998, directed by Jerry Zaks after Tommy Tune dropped out, had a book by Richard Greenberg and starred Eileen Heckart as Fanny, the matriarch of an acting dynasty modeled on the Barrymores. — Jesse Green, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Royal Family of Broadway,’ This Time in Song," 5 July 2018 Howard University started a program modeled on Meyerhoff last year. — Catherine Rentz, baltimoresun.com, "'Agents of change:' A year with the UMBC program shaping some of the nation's best and most diverse scientists," 18 May 2018 Baker describes a similar approach modeled on the U.S. defense industry. — Fran Quigley, The New Republic, "Building a NASA for Prescription Drugs," 10 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Men, women, families, all generations can come and enter this model world for a day, have a fun shopping experience, and an eventful meal. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Tyra Banks Is Bringing a 21,000 Square-Foot Amusement Park to Los Angeles," 5 Feb. 2019 And then again for what happened immediately backstage, when model Slick Woods went into labor and had to be taken straight from the show to the hospital. — Krystin Arneson, Glamour, "This Model Just Wore a Breast Pump Down the Runway at London Fashion Week," 16 Sep. 2018 Today, the French fashion house presented its latest collection at Paris Couture Week with a model lineup of giant life-size dolls that stole the show. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Life-Size Dolls Walked The Runway At Viktor & Rolf," 5 July 2017 More model news: Now check out 100 years of beauty icons: Follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox. — Andrea Park, Allure, "Andie MacDowell, 60, Made Her Triumphant Return to the Runway," 1 Oct. 2018 Canup is one of the leading scientists using large-scale simulations to model planet-scale collisions like the one thought to have formed Earth's own moon. — Nola Taylor Redd, Space.com, "Giant Impact May Have Created Mars' Moons," 18 Apr. 2018 Apple set the model ten years ago with the iOS app store, a well-manicured software ecosystem that’s far-reaching enough to draw in developers and controlled enough to keep out junk. — Russell Brandom, The Verge, "Will third-party plugins survive the tech backlash?," 6 July 2018 In the Porter House, there will be a model railroad display by Poway Station and a model train display from the Motor Men. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "Old-Fashioned Fourth of July offers patriotic fun," 29 June 2018 After the Birth of Her Son At the end of the day, the stunning space for DJ represents the design visions of both the singer and her model husband, 26. — Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, "Jordin Sparks' Designer (and Cousin!) Opens Up About the Singer's 'Timeless and Classy' Nursery," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'model.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near model

Statistics for model

Last Updated

23 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for model

The first known use of model was in 1570

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More Definitions for model

model

noun

English Language Learners Definition of model

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a usually small copy of something

: a particular type or version of a product (such as a car or computer)

: a set of ideas and numbers that describe the past, present, or future state of something (such as an economy or a business)

model

verb

English Language Learners Definition of model (Entry 2 of 3)

: to design (something) so that it is similar to something else

: to make a small copy of (something) : to create a model of (something)

: to make something by forming or shaping clay or some other material

model

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of model (Entry 3 of 3)

: deserving to be copied by others : very good or excellent

—used to describe something that is a small copy of something larger

See the full definition for model in the English Language Learners Dictionary

model

noun

mod·el | \ ˈmä-dᵊl

Kids Definition of model

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a small but exact copy of a thing

2 : a pattern or figure of something to be made

3 : a person who sets a good example Their daughter is a model of politeness.

4 : a person who poses for an artist or photographer

5 : a person who wears and displays garments that are for sale

6 : a special type of a product Our car is a recent model.

model

adjective

Kids Definition of model (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : worthy of being imitated a model student

2 : being a miniature copy a model airplane

model

verb

modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling

Kids Definition of model (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : to plan or shape after a pattern This sports car is modeled on a racing car.

2 : to make a model of He learned how to model a dog in clay.

3 : to act or serve as a model She was asked to model for an artist.

model

noun

mod·el | \ ˈmäd-ᵊl

Medical Definition of model

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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