engraving

noun

en·​grav·​ing in-ˈgrā-viŋ 

en-

1

: the act or process of one that engraves

2

: something that is engraved: such as

a

: an engraved printing surface

b

: engraved work

3

: an impression from an engraved printing surface

Examples of engraving in a Sentence

She studied engraving in an art class.

Recent Examples on the Web

Textures Bringing a new depth has always started with the dials, richly decorated or on the contrary subtly detailed through a host of crafts, from engraving and enamel to gem-setting and guilloché. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

The first is the engraving by Martin Droeshout on the title page of the First Folio, which had been edited by the actors John Heminge and Henry Condell, both contemporaries of Shakespeare. —Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026

Above the fireplace hangs an eighteenth-century map of Africa by the French cartographer Guillaume de l’Isle—the first engraving to accurately depict the continent’s coordinates. —Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026

The result is a uniform bar with a smooth, polished finish, sharp edges and precise engravings. —Jessica Walrack, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing engraving

• line engraving
• steel engraving
• wood engraving

Rhymes for engraving

• behaving
• enslaving
• lifesaving
• repaving
• autoclaving
• misbehaving
• braving
• caving
• craving
• graving
• laving
• paving

Kids Definition

engraving

noun

en·​grav·​ing

in-ˈgrā-viŋ

1

: the art of cutting something especially into the surface of wood, stone, or metal

2

: a print made from an engraved surface