sculpture

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, usually) A three-dimensional work of art created by shaping malleable objects and letting them harden or by chipping away pieces from a rock (sculpting).
2. (countable, usually) More generally (since modernism), a three-dimensional work of art of any material or of mixed materials, whether sculpted, assembled, found, constructed or created using multiple techniques.
3. (uncountable, usually) Works of art created by sculpting, as a group.
4. (uncountable, usually) The three-dimensional ornamentation on the outer surface of a shell.
5. (archaic, uncountable, usually) A printed picture, such as an engraving.

Verb

1. To fashion something into a three-dimensional figure.
2. To represent something in sculpture.
3. To change the shape of a land feature by erosion etc.

Synonyms

sculpt

carving

statue

carve

model

figure

engrave

image

engraving

shape

chisel

grave

🪦

form

let out

etch

stabile

statuary

tattooing

chip at

turn

whittle

stone carving

plastic art

carved statue

molded figure

stonecutting

art

🎨

carved ware

artwork

beat

block

embossing

graven image

graving

hew

idol

mold

piece

pillar

relievo

rip

snippet

Translations

sculpture

escultura

scultura

Skulptur

escultura

Bildhauerei

escultura

γλυπτική

beeldhouwwerk

esculpir

beeldhouwkunst

beeldhouwen

γλυπτό

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈskʌlpt͡ʃɚ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sculpture

In summary

From Middle English sculpture, from Old French sculpture, from Latin sculptūra (“sculpture”), from sculpō (“to cut out, to carve in stone”).