sculpture

1 of 2

noun

sculp·​ture ˈskəlp-chər 

1

a

: the action or art of processing (as by carving, modeling, or welding) plastic or hard materials into works of art

b(1)

: work produced by sculpture

(2)

: a three-dimensional work of art (such as a statue)

2

: impressed or raised markings or a pattern of such especially on a plant or animal part

sculpture

2 of 2

verb

sculptured; sculpturing ˈskəlp-chə-riŋ 

ˈskəlp-shriŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to form an image or representation of from solid material (such as wood or stone)

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

Verb

• carve
• sculpt

Examples of sculpture in a Sentence

Noun

a sculpture of an elephant

an exhibit of African sculpture

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These words were sprayed onto a Rufino Tamayo sculpture outside the museum that was also splashed with what appeared to be fake blood. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2024

His unique sculptures elaborate on conventions of Japanese ceramics by incorporating non-traditional materials such as metals, oxides and paints. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Verb

Bourdelle’s voluminous works in marble, bronze, and wood fill the lofty mezzanine, while his bronze sculptures Héraklès archer (Hercules the Archer) and Centaure mourant (Dying Centaur) highlight the garden. —Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2024

Co-developed with NISMO, Nissan’s in-house racing and customizing arm, the Hyper-Force’s carbon-fiber body is sculptured like a fighter jet with the sole purpose of going as fast as possible. —Peter Lyon, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin sculptura, from sculptus, past participle of sculpere to carve, alteration of scalpere to scratch, carve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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