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.

---

frieze ² American  

[freez] / friz /

noun

1. a heavy, napped woolen cloth for coats.

---

frieze ¹ British  

/ friːz /

noun

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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; see frieze ¹

Explanation

A frieze is a decorative band, usually, but not always, above a doorframe or on the wall near the ceiling. You may find a frieze of sculptured angels too formal for the trim of your bedroom wall. You might not think of a frieze in the same category as a painting or a statue, but it can be a true work of art. One famous frieze is painted in a large circle on the inside of the United States Capitol building; it shows famous events in American history. Another is at the Parthenon, a temple from ancient Greece. Don’t confuse frieze with the more common term freeze, though they are pronounced the same way.

Example Sentences

KHARTOUM, Sudan — The diggers were efficient, cramming in so many graves that, from above, the field near the University of Sudan’s medical campus looked like a frieze of an undulating, gravel-brown sea.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

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

He stayed in a large bedroom on the first floor’s west wing, which features a delicate plaster frieze of mermaids and multiple layers of ancient wooden panelling.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2024

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

He looked up at the English alphabet in a frieze on the classroom walls.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• decoration
• embellishment