ENGLISH
REFERENCE

framing

n.
US //ˈfɹeɪmɪŋ// UK //fɹˈeɪmɪŋ// fram·ing
  1. 1 physical structure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the wooden or metal structure that supports a building or object.

    the internal supporting structure or framework of a building, vehicle, or object.

    Example

    The workers finished the steel framing of the new house before the rain started.

    Example

    The architect insisted on timber framing for the extension to ensure it remained consistent with the original seventeenth-century construction.
  2. 2 mounting a picture (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of putting a border around a picture or photograph.

    the process or style of fitting a decorative or protective border around a visual work.

    Example

    Professional framing can be very expensive, but it makes the artwork look much better.

    Example

    The gallery chose a minimalist style of framing to ensure that the ornate details of the painting remained the primary focus for viewers.
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  1. 3 presenting an idea (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    the way you describe a situation to make people see it in a certain way.

    the conceptual act of presenting information in a specific context to influence how it is interpreted or evaluated.

    Example

    The politician's framing of the tax cut as a 'gift to families' helped it become popular.

    Example

    The media's framing of the environmental crisis shifted from a distant scientific concern to an immediate economic threat over the last decade.

    Usage

    Often used in political or psychological contexts to describe how a narrative is shaped.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common term in media studies and politics; it suggests that the 'frame' determines what the audience notices and what they ignore.

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