sculpture

1 of 2

noun

sculp·​ture ˈskəlp-chər 

1

a

: the action or art of processing (as by carving, modeling, or welding) plastic or hard materials into works of art

b(1)

: work produced by sculpture

(2)

: a three-dimensional work of art (such as a statue)

2

: impressed or raised markings or a pattern of such especially on a plant or animal part

sculpture

2 of 2

verb

sculptured; sculpturing ˈskəlp-chə-riŋ 

ˈskəlp-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to form an image or representation of from solid material (such as wood or stone)

b

: to form into a three-dimensional work of art

2

: to change (the form of the earth's surface) by natural processes (such as erosion and deposition)

3

: to shape by or as if by carving or molding

intransitive verb

: to work as a sculptor

Synonyms

Verb

• sculpt
• carve

Examples of sculpture in a Sentence

Noun

a sculpture of an elephant

an exhibit of African sculpture

Verb

the artist used a hammer and chisel to sculpture the horse out of ice

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In September of 2023, Prentiss’ Bannister sculpture was unveiled along the channelized Providence River a block from RISD Museum and two blocks from the Art Club. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

The French American artist, who died in 2010, is best known for her giant sculptures of spiders, including a 20-foot-high bronze creation that sold for $32.8 million in 2023, setting a record-high price for a work by a female artist. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 June 2025

Verb

And how can sculpture accomplish the experience of simultaneous collective reception that was formerly its greatest social promise? —Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Bourdelle’s voluminous works in marble, bronze, and wood fill the lofty mezzanine, while his bronze sculptures Héraklès archer (Hercules the Archer) and Centaure mourant (Dying Centaur) highlight the garden. —Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin sculptura, from sculptus, past participle of sculpere to carve, alteration of scalpere to scratch, carve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1645, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing sculpture

• junk sculpture

Kids Definition

sculpture

1 of 2 noun

sculp·​ture ˈskəlp-chər 

1

: the act, process, or art of carving or cutting hard substances, modeling plastic substances, or casting melted metals into works of art

2

a

: work produced by sculpture

b

: a piece of such work

sculptural

-chə-rəl

-shrəl

adjective

sculpture

2 of 2 verb

sculptured; sculpturing ˈskəlp-chə-riŋ 

ˈskəlp-shriŋ

1

: to make sculptures

2

: to shape by or as if by carving or molding