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

AT&T’s adjusted earnings per share came out to 57 cents, up from 51 cents a year prior, whereas analysts were modeling 55 cents.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

It also maintained stable predictions over longer periods, even when modeling chaotic systems.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

Paolo Zampolli, a modeling agent who has long been considered the person who introduced Melania and Donald Trump, maintained in an interview that he was the one who introduced the pair.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

If the Saskatchewan sale is recognized in the period, it would mean an additional $900,000 in revenue on top of the $5.2 million Rosenblatt is modeling, or the $4 million forecast by the Street.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

They reluctantly changed out of their outfits, but not before modeling them for Seven’s whooping parents.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

• design
• painting