statuary

1 of 2

noun

stat·​u·​ary ˈsta-chə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce statuary (audio)
plural statuaries
1
2
a
: the art of making statues
b
: a collection of statues : statues

statuary

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or suitable for statues

Example Sentences

Noun a fine example of late Renaissance statuary
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The city of Richmond, which was the capital of the Confederacy for most of the Civil War, has removed more than a dozen other pieces of Confederate statuary on city land since Floyd's death, which prompted the removal of Confederate monuments in cities across the country. CBS News, 2 Sep. 2021 If nothing else, the toppling of three bronze sculptures last week in Golden Gate Park underscored a blunt fact: The age of heroic statuary has reached a dead end. John King, SFChronicle.com, 25 June 2020 The land was rich with artifacts from the island’s cultural heritage and Ringel, often aided by his troops, carted off all sorts of ceramics, vases, parts of statuary, some for his own gain and some to be sent back to German museums as the spoils of war. New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022 Boston has one of the world’s finest collections of classical art, and Twombly’s love of antiquity was fired by early encounters with the flotilla of Egyptian model boats, the ancient Iranian ornaments, and the Greek and Roman statuary in the museum across the street. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2023 The city of Richmond, which was the capital of the Confederacy for most of the Civil War, has removed more than a dozen other pieces of Confederate statuary on city land since Floyd's death, which prompted the removal of Confederate monuments in cities around the country. Fox News, 7 June 2021 Judiciously placing works by Twombly alongside classical statuary and other remnants from the ancient Mediterranean, the show reveals the nature and scope of his love of antiquity. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2023 Roko Rumora, a young historian, could probably walk blindfolded through the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Greek and Roman galleries without toppling statuary or sending the Athenian vases airborne. Zachary Small, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The dining room has mahogany columns and paneling with gesso statuary. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2023
Adjective
The adjoining primary bath has a mosaic-patterned marble floor, statuary white marble walls and a seven-foot-long vanity with a quartz top. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Nov. 2022 In the movies, Black characters were jolly statuary — hoisting luggage, serving food, tending children — meant to decorate a white American’s dream. New York Times, 7 Jan. 2022 The 11-foot statue, which weighs more than 6,000 lbs., was taken out of the largest (and last) piece of statuary marble from Michelangelo’s quarry in Italy. Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 25 Oct. 2021 Renaissance Garden features foliage, flowerbeds, water features, statuary and more. Elaine Rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statuary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of statuary was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near statuary

Cite this Entry

“Statuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statuary. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

statuary

noun
stat·​u·​ary
ˈstach-ə-ˌwer-ē
plural statuaries
1
2
: a collection of statues
statuary adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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