Showing Results for "modeling"

See Also:

• present participle of model.

modeling

American  

[mod-l-ing] / ˈmɒd l ɪŋ /

especially British, modelling

noun

1. the act, art, or profession of a person who models.

2. the process of producing sculptured form with some plastic material, as clay.

3. the technique of rendering the illusion of volume on a two-dimensional surface by shading.

4. the treatment of volume, as the turning of a form, in sculpture.

5. the representation, often mathematical, of a process, concept, or operation of a system, often implemented by a computer program.

6. Also called imitation.  Psychology. therapy in which a particular behavior is elicited by the observation of similar behavior in others.

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Etymology

Origin of modeling

First recorded in 1575–85; model + -ing ¹

Explanation

Modeling involves making a representation of something. Creating a tiny, functioning volcano is an example of modeling. Teachers use modeling when they have a class election that represents a larger one, like a presidential election. Modeling is anything that represents something else, usually on a smaller scale. Military commanders use physical and computer modeling to plan offensives. Modeling is helpful because it allows you to take a good look at something that is too big or impractical to see otherwise. If a tall beautiful person tells you he has a modeling career, he’s not a miniature version of something, but he does make money being a model. Outside the US, it’s often spelled with two l’s.

Example Sentences

Uhls said she recalled several instances of episodes modeling unsafe behavior, but declined to share specifics.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Vertic calculated its estimates for the expanded uranium-enrichment capacity based on historical data of similar centrifuges, satellite imagery to determine the building’s dimensions, and other modeling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

The architects working to complete Gaudí’s vision have used computer modeling to test the stability of his geometric designs—and have found that Gaudí knew exactly what he was doing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Launching into the world of modeling soon after, she divorced her husband and made a history-defining decision: dyeing her brown hair platinum blonde.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

The photographer had me sit on a high black stool, and do all these poses, like I was modeling.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

Related Words

• design
• painting