Showing results for "engraving"

• present participle of engrave.

engraving

American  

[en-grey-ving] / ɛnˈgreɪ vɪŋ /

noun

• engravings
  plural

1. the act or art of a person who or thing that engraves.

2. the art of forming designs by cutting, corrosion by acids, a photographic process, etc., on the surface of a metal plate, block of wood, or the like, for or as for the purpose of taking off impressions or prints of the design so formed.

3. the design engraved.

4. an engraved plate or block.

5. an impression or print from this.

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engraving British  

/ ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋ /

noun

1. the art of a person who engraves

2. a block, plate, or other surface that has been engraved

3. a print made from such a surface

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engraving Cultural  

1. An artistic print made from a metal plate on which an artist has cut a design with a graver or a small chisel. (Compare etching.)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• engravings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of engraving

First recorded in 1595–1605; engrave + -ing ¹

Explanation

Engraving is the art or technique of carving designs into a surface. You'll find engraving on stationary, wedding rings, and even on tombstones. Some engraving results in an etched object, like a piece of jewelry or silverware. Other engraving is done on a metal plate, which is then used to print an illustration, design, or even paper money. You can call the design or resulting print an engraving as well. The word, from the verb engrave, combines the prefix en-, "in or into," and the now-obsolete grave, "to carve."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

engraving engravings

"There is not only a process of repeating signs: there is real visuo-spatial planning, as if the authors already had an overall image of the figure in mind before engraving it."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

A stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026

When I think of people piling into funds with hot recent returns, I can’t help seeing this early engraving in my mind’s eye.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026

The publishers – Cadell and Davies – paid 20 guineas for the new painting which they planned to use as an engraving in all future editions of Burns' books.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

Behind the hands and the needle, an engraving of the sun in splendor occupied the center of the dial.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

The items included icons, engravings, embroidery and other works, some dating from the 16th century.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

The collection taps into the animal spirit, including celestial medallions, saber-teeth, horns, claws and symbolic engravings, in line with Aiko’s forthcoming album, “West$ide Whim$y.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2026

However, the scale, content, and placement of the Arabian engravings set them apart.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2025

Unlike previously known sites where engravings were hidden in crevices, the Jebel Mleiha and the Jebel Arnaan panels were etched onto towering cliff faces, some up to 39 meters high, in visually commanding locations.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2025

Mr. Frederick Lynn has taken a seat beside Mary Ingram, and is showing her the engravings of a splendid volume: she looks, smiles now and then, but apparently says little.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• etching
• illustration
• inscription
• lithograph
• woodcut