carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms

• sculpt
• sculpture

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

For years, Democrats have tried to carve out loopholes in existing laws and promote new developments to address the housing shortage. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025

Clinton and Khalifa are betting that authenticity—and funk—can carve out space in a category that’s no longer an afterthought but the main event. —Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Tucked into back rooms or hidden under unassuming storefronts, a few Denver restaurateurs are carving out intimate chef’s counter concepts within existing restaurants. —Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 6 May 2025

In the years since, the cast members have carved out their own paths in Hollywood while branching out into other arenas, from politics to podcasting to pornography. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun