# carving

/ˈkɑɹvɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈɑːvɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carving
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a carved object

noun · CEFR B2

an object or design made by cutting into a hard material like wood or stone.

For teachers: a decorative object or design created by the process of cutting or incising a hard material.

- The museum has a beautiful wooden carving of a bird from the 18th century.
- The intricate stone carvings on the cathedral's exterior have suffered significant erosion due to centuries of exposure to acidic rain.

### 2. the craft or act

noun · CEFR B2

the activity or skill of making things by cutting wood or stone.

For teachers: the process, craft, or artistic practice of shaping a material by scraping or cutting away parts of it.

- He took up wood carving as a hobby after he retired.
- Mastering the art of ivory carving requires not only immense patience but also a specialized set of fine-tipped steel tools.

### 3. slicing meat

verb · CEFR B2

cutting thin pieces of cooked meat to serve for a meal.

For teachers: the act of slicing cooked meat, such as poultry or a roast, into portions for service at a table.

- My father is usually in charge of carving the turkey at Christmas.
- Proper carving of a standing rib roast requires a steady hand and a very sharp, flexible knife to ensure uniform slices.

### 4. skiing/snowboarding

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

making smooth turns on snow using the edges of your skis or board.

For teachers: the technique of performing turns on the edges of skis or a snowboard without skidding or pivoting.

- She practiced her carving on the fresh snow to improve her speed.
- The athlete demonstrated perfect carving technique, maintaining a deep edge angle throughout the high-speed descent.

## Examples

- The wooden carving on the table is very old.
- She spent the afternoon carving a small bird from a block of pine.
- The intricate stone carving above the cathedral door depicts scenes from medieval history.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.