carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

transitive verb

1

: to cut with care or precision

carved fretwork

2

: to make or get by or as if by cutting

—often used with out

carve out a career

3

: to cut into pieces or slices

carved the turkey

intransitive verb

1

: to cut up and serve meat

2

: to work as a sculptor or engraver

carver noun

Synonyms of carve

• sculpt

Examples of carve in a Sentence

We carved an ice sculpture.

Who is going to carve the turkey?

He carved while I made the gravy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The injury was especially cruel because Thornton had finally carved out a role in Kansas City. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Some don’t follow the Parking and Transportation Department on social media or check their email for real-time information, and others don’t know that the university is carving out more parking. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The Salem witch trials of 1692 carved out an enduring and powerful niche in American history for this little town, and this intimate, kitschy museum does an excellent job telling the story. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026

It's been 52 years since Goh Khuay Par carved his first Mei Hua coffin. — Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carve

• carve up

Rhymes for carve

• starve

Kids Definition

carve

verb

ˈkärv 

carved; carving

1

: to cut with care or exactness

2

: to cut into pieces or slices

3

: to cut up and serve meat

carver noun