figuration

American  

[fig-yuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌfɪg yəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of shaping into a particular figure.

2. the resulting figure or shape.

   emblematic figurations of the sun and the moon.

3. the act of representing figuratively.

4. a figurative representation.

   allegorical figurations.

5. the act of marking or adorning with a design.

6. Music.

   1. the employment of passing notes or other embellishments.

   2. the figuring of a bass part.

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figuration British  

/ ˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. music

   1. the employment of characteristic patterns of notes, esp in variations on a theme

   2. decoration or florid ornamentation in general

2. the act or an instance of representing figuratively, as by means of allegory or emblem

3. a figurative or emblematic representation

4. the act of decorating with a design

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Etymology

Origin of figuration

1400–50; late Middle English figuracioun < Latin figūrātiōn- (stem of figūrātiō ) “a shaping” ( figure ( def. ) ) + -ion

Example Sentences

So it’s all of those ideas in one style of figuration.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

The other was the vigorous argument between abstraction and figuration as front runner of the avant-garde, then being hard-fought in the American art world.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

“I don’t think it’s possible to have a conversation about figuration without going back to this very fecund moment of Black artistic development.”

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2024

The tension in de Kooning between figuration and abstraction feels brilliantly resolved because he invented his own coherent language of hooked-line contours and “slipping glimpses.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

"It really is very sad," Evelyn said, her eyes twinkling with the humour of the idea, "that anyone should think that such figuration could replace sculpture."

From Evelyn Innes by Moore, George (George Augustus)