marbling

American  

[mahr-bling] / ˈmɑr blɪŋ /

noun

1. the act, process, or art of coloring or staining in imitation of variegated marble.

2. an appearance like that of variegated marble.

3. the intermixture of fat with lean in a cut of meat, which contributes to flavor and tenderness.

4. Bookbinding. marblelike decoration on the paper edges, lining, or binding boards of a book.

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marbling British  

/ ˈmɑːblɪŋ /

noun

1. a mottled effect or pattern resembling marble

2. such an effect obtained by transferring floating colours from a bath of gum solution

3. the streaks of fat in lean meat

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Etymology

Origin of marbling

First recorded in 1680–90; marble + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Turkey's home strip features a marbled pattern, inspired by the Turkish paper marbling art of Ebru.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

All of these pieces have dramatic warps, waves, marbling and imperfections that make them unique and add to their beauty and history.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

It comes pre-trimmed so you can go straight from fridge to smoker, and the A5 marbling is extraordinary.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

The psychedelic swirls of the marbling infinity puzzles might seem daunting, he added, but there are zones of color that lead the way, one piece to the next.

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2022

“Now we will add the cocoa to the rest of the batter and swirl it all around. That’s the marbling part. Maybe you want to do that?”

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo