sculpture

verb

sculptured; sculpturing ˈskəlp-chə-riŋ 

ˈskəlp-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to form an image or representation of from solid material

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 of sculpture

• sculpt
• carve

Examples of sculpture in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Some resemble ancient oil lamps and brooches; others take after Barbara Hepworth and Isamu Noguchi sculptures. —Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 23 May 2026

The permanent collection includes more than 1,000 works ranging from painting to sculpture to installations. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026

Tobolowsky came late to sculpture, at least as a profession. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

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