carve

4 definitions • 12 examples

to make something by cutting into a hard material, especially wood or stone, or to cut into a hard material in order to make something:

carve something out Some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural, some were carved out (= cut into the rock) by soldiers for defensive purposes.

carve something out of something The statue is carved out of olive wood.

carve something from something This totem pole is carved from a single tree trunk.

carve something into something A huge figure had been carved into the chalk hillside.

carve something into something They carve the stone into smooth, organic shapes.

carve something on something He carved her name on a tree.

The children were carving pumpkins for Halloween.

She carved carefully using a small knife.

to cut thin pieces from a large piece of cooked meat:

Would you like me to carve the chicken?

My father always carved at Sunday dinner.

to make something by cutting into esp. wood or stone, or to cut into the surface of stone, wood, etc.:

[ T ] This totem pole is carved from a single tree trunk.

To carve a large piece of cooked meat is to cut thin pieces from it:

[ I/T ] Would you like me to carve (the turkey)?