frieze

¹ American  

[freez] / friz /

noun

1. Architecture.

   1. the part of a classical entablature between the architrave and the cornice, usually decorated with sculpture in low relief.

   2. any decorative band on an outside wall, broader than a stringcourse and bearing lettering, sculpture, etc.

2. any decorative band at the top or beneath the cornice of an interior wall, a piece of furniture, etc.

3. Furniture. skirt.

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frieze ² American  

[freez] / friz /

noun

1. a heavy, napped woolen cloth for coats.

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frieze ¹ British  

/ friːz /

noun

1. a heavy woollen fabric with a long nap, used for coats, etc

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frieze ² British  

/ friːz /

noun

1. architect

   1. the horizontal band between the architrave and cornice of a classical entablature, esp one that is decorated with sculpture

   2. the upper part of the wall of a room, below the cornice, esp one that is decorated

2. any ornamental band or strip on a wall

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frieze Cultural  

1. An ornamental band that runs around a building. Friezes are usually on the exterior of a building and are often sculpted in bas-relief.

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Etymology

Origin of frieze¹

1555–65; < Middle French frise, perhaps < Medieval Latin phrygium, frigium, frisium embroidered cloth, embroidery, Latin Phrygium, neuter of Phrygius Phrygian

Origin of frieze²

1350–1400; Middle English frise < Old French; frieze ¹

Example Sentences

Above them sits a gleaming frieze of 42 judges, each marked with a golden Ma’at feather.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

They’re lined up like figures on the carved frieze of a Roman sarcophagus, except the slight tilt of the camera has them poised to slide out of the frame.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

As Pareja, Brito’s silhouette is powerful, especially when Vilaro places him in the middle of dancers, frozen in place as if caught in a frieze.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2024

Just below, sculpted panels stood at intervals along all four sides, while an unbroken strip of relief sculpture - the frieze - depicting a religious procession ran around the outer wall inside the colonnade.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2023

At the far end of the room, the altar was elaborately carved with a frieze showing the man with the ice-cream-scoop hat holding a knife to the neck of a bull.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• decoration
• embellishment