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stencils

  • plural
    of stencil.
    stencil
    noun
    a device for applying a pattern, design, words, etc., to a surface, consisting of a thin sheet of cardboard, metal, or other material from which figures or letters have been cut out, a coloring substance, ink, etc., being rubbed, brushed, or pressed over the sheet, passing through the perforations and onto the surface.
  • present tense form
    of stencil (3rd person singular).
    stencil
    noun
    a device for applying a pattern, design, words, etc., to a surface, consisting of a thin sheet of cardboard, metal, or other material from which figures or letters have been cut out, a coloring substance, ink, etc., being rubbed, brushed, or pressed over the sheet, passing through the perforations and onto the surface.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Design studies for Olana included in the exhibit provide further details about the ornamental stencils that characterize Church’s home both inside and out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

On Friday, Musk shared two side-by-side A.I.-generated images of graffiti-style stencils: a smiling, handsome Kirk, and a cowering, dying Zarutska.

From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2025

They have also declined to comment about the possible meaning behind the series of stencils in London.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2024

Art about bodies is almost as old as the body: Some of the oldest art in the world consists of simple stencils of hands in ancient caves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2024

Jamie is with her, too, and—surprise—she has almost the exact same bike, only hers is pale yellow and the stencils are paisley.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina