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

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

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

Does it require attention to marbling and dry aging?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

But not all of his descriptions land, like when a bus floor is “grooved pink plastic, with white marbling, like a cut of bacon.”

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2022

Over time, the younger Henderson "took his own artistic eye and embarked on a process of marbling paint. And he invented our marble flags that we now have on our website."

From Fox News • Dec. 28, 2021

Overhead, the golden streaks marbling the clouds tarnished first to bronze, then to indigo.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros