carve
verb (used with object)
to cut (a solid material) so as to form something.
were carving
-
past progressiveof carve.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.
While mining has temporarily stopped in Amin's village, not far from his home, in Gulak-Dara valley, dozens of diggers were carving into the mountainside.
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
Some Californians were carving Halloween pumpkins and taking their kids trick-or-treating when they cast their ballots in this year’s election.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2024
Italy tried to invade Ethiopia, or Abyssinia as it was also known, in 1895, when European powers were carving up the African continent between themselves - but it went on to suffer a humiliating defeat.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2021
When developers were carving up Puna back in the 1960s and ’70s, many investors on the mainland bought lots in the lava lands sight unseen.
From Seattle Times ● May 25, 2018
Chencho was keeping the fire alive by throwing another log in and poking at the base of it, but Juanita and Delia were carving away at branches with two small pocketknives from Velia’s tool belt.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
