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

Beccuau’s office is examining claims by former models that Epstein was connected to the modeling executive Gérald Marie, who was the president of the European division of Elite Model Management.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Many of us were raised to sneer at social influence—instructed to resist peer pressure at all costs—but there’s another term for thinking about all this that’s less off-putting: role modeling.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

Using computer modeling, the scientists evaluated how strongly 100 of the new compounds interacted with the brain's 5-HT2A serotonin receptor.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

If the reports are confirmed, the deal would “represent upside for Nvidia,” since most analysts aren’t currently modeling China revenue for the company into their estimates, Morningstar’s Brian Colello added.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

She turned a circle, modeling it, and when I smiled, she turned another one.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Related Words

• design
• painting