modeling

American  

[mod-l-ing] / ˈmɒd l ɪŋ /

especially British, modelling

noun

1. the act, art, or profession of a person who models.

2. the process of producing sculptured form with some plastic material, as clay.

3. the technique of rendering the illusion of volume on a two-dimensional surface by shading.

4. the treatment of volume, as the turning of a form, in sculpture.

5. the representation, often mathematical, of a process, concept, or operation of a system, often implemented by a computer program.

6. Also called imitation.  Psychology. therapy in which a particular behavior is elicited by the observation of similar behavior in others.

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Etymology

Origin of modeling

First recorded in 1575–85; model + -ing ¹

Explanation

Modeling involves making a representation of something. Creating a tiny, functioning volcano is an example of modeling. Teachers use modeling when they have a class election that represents a larger one, like a presidential election. Modeling is anything that represents something else, usually on a smaller scale. Military commanders use physical and computer modeling to plan offensives. Modeling is helpful because it allows you to take a good look at something that is too big or impractical to see otherwise. If a tall beautiful person tells you he has a modeling career, he’s not a miniature version of something, but he does make money being a model. Outside the US, it’s often spelled with two l’s.

Example Sentences

Analyst Jamie Baker said that rather than modeling higher fuel prices a quarter at a time, they’ve “embraced” a jet fuel assumption for 2026 that they don’t think can be overcome by higher fare prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He has dual degrees from Columbia University in music and mathematics, which uses spreadsheets and modeling to solve real-world problems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

This modeling allowed them to examine temperature, pressure, moisture, texture, volume, and oil content under different conditions, including 2.45 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and conventional frying.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Adjusted earnings per share for the latest quarter slipped to $1.53 from $1.58, while analysts were modeling for a jump to $2.20.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

To my left, Manuel de Moya commences reminiscing about his New York modeling days.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• design
• painting