papier-mâché

1 of 2

noun

pa·​pier-mâ·​ché ˌpā-pər-mə-ˈshā How to pronounce papier-mâché (audio)
ˌpa-ˌpyā-mə-,
-(ˌ)ma-
: a light strong molding material of wastepaper pulped with glue and other additives

papier-mâché

2 of 2

adjective

1
: formed of papier-mâché
2

Examples of papier-mâché in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Among the protesters was a group of artists from Baltimore displaying a massive papier-mache sculpture meant to depict President Joe Biden with blood on his hands and devil horns. arkansasonline.com, 25 July 2024 For an extra special finishing touch, stick six papier-mache Supreme Court justices on it. Pat Beall, Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2024 Attach ribbons to papier-mache gourds with hot-glue and suspend from a chandelier. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
Adjective
In other cities, activists held flash mobs, created street murals and a papier-mache orca, cut up credit cards, sang, marched and danced. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023 In the Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, a swanky and exotic celebrity haunt, among papier-mache palm trees and monkey motifs. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023 Look for Roxanne Swentzell’s 11-foot-tall sculpture of clay and plant fiber, Mud Woman Rolls On and life-size papier-mache figures by masters of the Mexican cartonería tradition. Robin Soslow, Chron, 26 Feb. 2023 And don’t miss the bonecos, giant papier-mache puppets, in Olinda. Forrest Brown, CNN, 19 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, chewed paper

First Known Use

Noun

1753, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of papier-mâché was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near papier-mâché

Cite this Entry

“Papier-mâché.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

papier-mâché

noun
pa·​pier-mâ·​ché
ˌpā-pər-mə-ˈshā,
ˌpap-ˌyā-mə-;
-(ˌ)ma-
: a light strong molding material made of paper pulp mixed with glue and other substances
papier-mâché adjective
Etymology

Noun

French, literally, "chewed paper"

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