sculpture

[ skuhlp-cher ]

noun

1. the art of carving, modeling, welding, or otherwise producing figurative or abstract works of art in three dimensions, as in relief, intaglio, or in the round.
2. such works of art collectively.
3. an individual piece of such work.

verb (used with object)

, sculp·tured, sculp·tur·ing.

1. to carve, model, weld, or otherwise produce (a piece of sculpture).
2. to produce a portrait or image of in this way; represent in sculpture.
3. Physical Geography. to change the form of (the land surface) by erosion.

verb (used without object)

, sculp·tured, sculp·tur·ing.

1. to work as a sculptor.

sculpture

/ ˈskʌlptʃə /

noun

1. the art of making figures or designs in relief or the round by carving wood, moulding plaster, etc, or casting metals, etc
2. works or a work made in this way
3. ridges or indentations as on a shell, formed by natural processes
4. the gradual formation of the landscape by erosion

verb

1. also intr to carve, cast, or fashion (stone, bronze, etc) three dimensionally
2. to portray (a person, etc) by means of sculpture
3. to form in the manner of sculpture, esp to shape (landscape) by erosion
4. to decorate with sculpture

Derived Forms

• ˈsculptural, adjective
• ˈsculpturally, adverb

Other Words From

• sculptur·al adjective
• sculptur·al·ly adverb
• non·sculptur·al adjective
• non·sculptur·al·ly adverb
• re·sculpture verb (used with object) resculptured resculpturing
• un·sculptur·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sculpture¹

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) < Latin sculptūra, equivalent to sculpt ( us ) (past participle of sculpere to carve) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of sculpture¹

C14: from Latin sculptūra a carving; see sculpt

Example Sentences

“It also gave us a chance to share the origins of the sculpture and its sculptress — Nina Saemundsson — prior to its descent into obscurity.”

From Los Angeles Times

But it is almost certain that sculpture will be well-dressed and have impeccable hair.

From Los Angeles Times

But the surrounding galleries in this compact show take other directions, into painting, drawing and sculpture, before coming around to performance again.

From New York Times

"Bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife," he wrote at the time.

From BBC

I love the way you visualise Pharrell’s beats as Lego sculptures, each with its own unique shape.

From BBC

Related Words

• sculpt