engrave
verb (used with object)
to chase (letters, designs, etc.) on a hard surface, as of metal, stone, or the end grain of wood.
was engraving
-
past progressiveof engrave.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Toughest assignment: It was engraving a globe-shaped trophy for the New York Yacht Club that was the size of a beach ball.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2025
When laser cutters first came along, everyone was engraving everything they could engrave.
From The Verge ● Jul. 16, 2017
While the cashier was engraving the tag, we took Klawde over to where they were offering the free vaccinations.
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
While on the island, where his part of the work was engraving and printing, he had not realized the contemptible nature of his unlawful business.
From Raftmates A Story of the Great River by Kirk Munroe
Quite right, he would have been, mind you, if he had been carving a statue of her on Mount Eryx; but not when he was engraving a vignette to Æsop's fables.
From Ariadne Florentina Six Lectures on Wood and Metal Engraving by John Ruskin
