craftsmanship
Americannoun
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the art or skill of a craftsperson.
Sophisticated craftsmanship created a wide range of stone artifacts and bone tools such as awls, fishhooks, and needles, as well as beads and pendants made from imported shell and copper.
The author's craftsmanship is evident in her portrayal of the nail-biting tension between the characters.
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the quality of being well-crafted or well-built.
Among the examples of fine craftsmanship in this barn are the lap joints and the decorative louvered windows.
Her exquisite hats are distinguished by their precision construction, unparalleled craftsmanship, and unique designs.
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the product or result of skilled labor or craft.
There are several markets offering fruits, vegetables, and traditional craftsmanship.
Etymology
Origin of craftsmanship
Explanation
Craftsmanship is what skilled artists and builders demonstrate when they create something. A well-built log house or a gorgeous hand-knit blanket both require craftsmanship to create. Craftsmanship comes from craftsman, whose root is the Old English cræft, which originally meant "physical strength" and later evolved to mean "trade or handicraft."
Vocabulary lists containing craftsmanship
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Sourdough remains a fascinating interplay of biology and craftsmanship," González Alonso concludes.
From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026
The Venetian palace he purchased in 2025 will open to the public this spring for his first curated show—a presentation that explores the theme of craftsmanship in art and other disciplines.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026
The listing notes that the home “offers refined coastal living with uncompromising quality, privacy, and craftsmanship throughout.”
From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026
But the foundation of our collaboration — our shared belief in storytelling and craftsmanship — has never changed since those early days.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
Pocock’s cedar shells and spruce oars were by now understood across America to be unsurpassed for craftsmanship, durability, and, most important, speed on the water.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
