ornamentation

[ awr-nuh-men-tey-shuhn, ‑muhn‑ ]

noun

1. the act of ornamenting.
2. the state of being ornamented. ornamented.
3. something with which a thing is ornamented; ornamented; embellishment.
4. ornaments collectively.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ornamentation¹

First recorded in 1850–1855

Example Sentences

There's almost no ornamentation or religious imagery.

From BBC

But in Clarke’s case, the ornamentation isn’t just to celebrate his service.

From Seattle Times

Look closely and you’ll see the art deco ornamentation on the Empire State Building is actually dinosaur claws in front of knight shields.

From Seattle Times

Throughout the history of American music, blues, jazz and soul singers have used the jazzy quaver for the subtlest nuances of emotion: for tension, playfulness, defiance, flirtatiousness, ache or just blithe ornamentation.

From New York Times

The scientists dubbed this extra click “ornamentation.”

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• embellishment