carve

verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One timepiece on offer—also on display at the house’s Blue Book high jewelry reveal in Beverly Hills last year—features a flying tourbillon topped off with a diamond and surrounded by a turquoise dial carved to look like clouds. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025 Who should win: Roan is the new Lady Gaga — an artist who carved out her own lane in pop culture with a devoted fanbase. Troy Smith, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025 Brit is an innovator that carved out her own niche in the insurance industry transforming into mogul status. Dave Quinn, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 The 26-year-old Miller carved out a role in the Giants’ bullpen last season as a rookie, posting a 3.88 ERA and 3.67 FIP over 67 1/3 innings while totaling 87 strikeouts. Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for carve 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of carve was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Carve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carve. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

carve

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on carve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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