carpentry

American  

[kahr-puhn-tree] / ˈkɑr pən tri /

noun

1. the trade of a carpenter.

   He earned his living at carpentry.

2. the work produced by a carpenter.

3. the way in which something, especially a work of literature, is structured.

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carpentry British  

/ ˈkɑːpɪntrɪ /

noun

1. the art or technique of working wood

2. the work produced by a carpenter; woodwork

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Etymology

Origin of carpentry

1350–1400; Middle English carpentrie < Old North French < Latin carpentāria ( fabrica ) carriage-maker's (workshop). See carpenter, -y ³

Compare meaning

How does carpentry compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• carpentry vs. woodworking

Example Sentences

Ford said he was “not an overnight success,” having spent the first 15 years of his career jumping between acting and carpentry before landing an acting role.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

And he practiced traditional West African carpentry techniques while serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

“So I’ve done that, I’ve tried to be useful in growing food and I’ve also taken up carpentry as well.”

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

"Forests are very important, and they need time to regenerate," Armand Kisha told AFP, standing in the ruins of his carpentry workshop which was destroyed when fires ripped through the central Gramsh region in August.

From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025

Basic math, lots about seasonal planting, some carpentry skills, things like that.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy