figuration

noun

fig·​u·​ra·​tion ˌfi-g(y)ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: form, outline

2

: the act or process of creating or providing a figure

3

: an act or instance of representation in figures and shapes

cubism was explained as a synthesis of colored figurations of objects

—Janet Flanner

4

: ornamentation of a musical passage by using decorative and usually repetitive figures

Examples of figuration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The other was the vigorous argument between abstraction and figuration as front runner of the avant-garde, then being hard-fought in the American art world. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025

What about zombie formalism and the recent figuration craze? —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Mar. 2025

Here, Gallardo’s work was represented eclectically: Clay sculptures stood alongside paintings with muted palettes and mournful figurations focusing on her mother’s unsuccessful ambition to paint professionally. —Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025

With that shift in perspective comes an expansion, both of the territory around Black figuration but also thinking a greater invocation with Black bodies as a site of expansive expression, richness, complexity, depth, or fraughtness. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English figuracioun, borrowed from Latin figūrātiōn-, figūrātiō "process of forming, shape, representation," from figūrāre "to shape, make a likeness of, represent" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at figure entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for figuration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation