work of art

American  

noun

1. a piece of creative work in the arts, especially a painting or sculpture.

2. a product that gives aesthetic pleasure and that can be judged separately from any utilitarian considerations.

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work of art British  

noun

1. a piece of fine art, such as a painting or sculpture

2. something that may be likened to a piece of fine art, esp in beauty, intricacy, etc

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Etymology

Origin of work of art

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The series is at once satirical and celebratory; “Bait” feels abundant, both in its presentation of a culture, which has the ring of documentary truth, and as a beautifully realized work of art.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

The goal to make it 4-0 was a work of art as the 33-year-old used his left foot to curl a sublime effort into the top corner from outside the box.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

A teenager has sold her Nissan Micra car for £400 to the organisers of an exhibition who are using it to replicate an original Banksy work of art.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

What makes “Picnic” an enduring work of art is its tonal complexity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Only one person could have designed the outfit, at first glance utterly utilitarian, at second a work of art.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• artwork
• composition
• piece