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

• carve
• sculpt

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

Although the famous sculptures of the Parthenon, the Elgin Marbles, are controversially still held at the British Museum in London, the Parthenon still affords views of ancient sculptures, particularly on the east pediment. —David Unsworth, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024

The campaign asked volunteers to create digital assets of antiquities, monuments, and everyday artifacts that were under threat, including sculptures, classical busts, and headstones. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

First- and second-place awards and Judge’s Recognition will be presented in each of eight artistic categories–painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital art and video/animation–as well as a Best in Show and People’s Choice Award. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024

Along with the rotating sculpture, the massive, 9-by-20-foot float detailed Wade’s life story, from his military service to his artistic endeavors. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

For more than a half-century, Ms. Ringgold explored themes of race, gender, class, family and community through a vast array of media, among them painting, sculpture, mask- and doll-making, textiles and performance art. —Margalit Fox, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Visitors will find art from various genres, including paintings, stained glass, pottery, sculptures, furniture, and jewelry. —Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

At the time of its destruction, the venue was full of sculptures, paintings and photographs. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

The turtle sculpture, created by Michigan artist Jim Miller-Melberg, who is known for crafting many play sculptures across the world, used to be one of three sitting in the Conant Elementary playground. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

Co-developed with NISMO, Nissan’s in-house racing and customizing arm, the Hyper-Force’s carbon-fiber body is sculptured like a fighter jet with the sole purpose of going as fast as possible. —Peter Lyon, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

Modeling in clay was a way to process the paintings and sculpture the young man was discovering in the art metropolis of the Western world. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 23 June 2023

A life-size cow sculptured from butter has been a tradition at the Ohio State Fair since the early 1900s. —Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 25 July 2017

Two round medallions that stud this one-of-a-kind Makassar ebony pendant are sculptured from gold. —Nancy Hass, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2016

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