shaving
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈʃeɪvɪŋ// UK //ʃˈeɪvɪŋ// shav·ing
n. a thin piece of wood, metal, or plastic that has been cut or scraped off a larger piece. You often see these on the floor of a workshop or in a pencil sharpener.
n. a thin strip or slice of material pared off from a larger mass by a blade or tool. Often used in the plural to describe waste material from woodworking or metalworking.
The floor was covered in wood shavings after he finished the chair.
The carpenter swept the cedar shavings into a pile to keep the workshop floor safe and clean.
Artisans often use fine metal shavings as a decorative element in resin casting to create a shimmering, industrial aesthetic.
Usage
Frequently used in the plural form ('shavings') when referring to the waste produced by a tool.