Definition of sculpture

Short definition: The word sculpture refers to an artwork created by shaping or carving materials into a three-dimensional form, often designed to be viewed from multiple angles and to express ideas, emotion, or cultural meaning.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word sculpture? The word sculpture is commonly used in art, history, and design. It refers to artworks that are shaped in three dimensions rather than drawn or painted on a flat surface. Sculptures can be realistic or abstract and may be made from stone, metal, wood, clay, or modern materials. You will see them in museums, public spaces, and private collections. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with enough detail to feel clear, human, and practical.

sculpture n. /ˈskʌlptʃər/

Forms: sculpture, sculptures
Related: sculpt v., sculptor n., art n.
Syllable: sculp-ture

  1. (Noun) A three dimensional work of art created by shaping or combining materials.

    A sculpture is an artwork that exists in three dimensions and is created by carving modeling molding or assembling materials, allowing it to be viewed from multiple angles and experienced as a physical object in space.

    The marble sculpture stood in the center of the gallery and attracted visitors who walked around it slowly to see every detail.
    She studied classical sculpture to better understand how artists represent the human body in solid form.
    The outdoor sculpture became a landmark because of its size and unique shape.

    Synonyms: statue, three dimensional artwork, carved art, molded art, art object, solid artwork, 3D art, artistic form, carved figure, modeled form, physical artwork, visual sculpture
    Antonyms: drawing, painting, photograph, flat image, sketch, two dimensional art, illustration, graphic art, paper art, flat artwork, digital image, print

  2. (Noun) The art or practice of creating three dimensional artworks.

    Sculpture can also refer to the artistic discipline itself, involving techniques skills and creative decisions used to transform raw materials into expressive three dimensional forms.

    Sculpture requires patience and physical effort as well as a strong sense of form and balance.
    He decided to study sculpture at art school after discovering his interest in working with clay and metal.
    Modern sculpture often experiments with unusual materials and abstract shapes.

    Synonyms: sculpting, three dimensional art, art practice, carving art, modeling art, form based art, spatial art, physical art discipline, solid form art, creative modeling, art of carving, art of shaping
    Antonyms: drawing practice, painting practice, flat art, graphic design only, two dimensional art, illustration work, text based art, writing, non visual art, literary art, performance only, sound art

An Explanation of the Word "sculpture" in an Image

Abstract stone sculpture with curved geometric forms placed on a pedestal in a landscaped garden, showing a non-figurative and minimalist artistic design.
An abstract stone sculpture with smooth, flowing curves displayed outdoors, highlighting balance, form, and simplicity without representing any human or animal shape.

Conversation Using the Word Sculpture

The following conversation takes place between two friends visiting an art museum. It shows how the word sculpture is used naturally when discussing art, interpretation, and personal reactions to three-dimensional works.

The conversation highlights how people often experience sculpture differently depending on movement, distance, and the emotions a piece creates in a physical space.

Laura: I like how this sculpture looks completely different depending on where you stand.

David: Yeah, that is what I love about sculpture, you cannot understand it from just one angle.

Laura: This one feels very calm, even though the shape is quite bold.

David: I agree, the sculpture has a strong presence, but it does not feel aggressive at all.

Laura: Can you imagine how long it must have taken to make something like this?

David: Probably months, the sculpture detail alone suggests a lot of patience and planning.

Laura: I think seeing sculpture in person is very different from photos.

David: Definitely, sculpture really needs space and movement to be fully appreciated.

Phrases Containing the Word Sculpture

The phrases below show how the word sculpture is commonly used to talk about art, materials, creativity, and public or personal expression in everyday English.

Stone sculpture

An artwork carved from stone.

The stone sculpture stood in the center of the garden, slowly weathered by time but still full of character and history.

Modern sculpture

A contemporary art form.

The gallery displayed a modern sculpture that challenged traditional ideas of shape and balance.

Abstract sculpture

A non-realistic form.

The abstract sculpture did not represent anything specific, yet it strongly influenced how people felt in the space.

Public sculpture

An artwork placed outdoors.

The public sculpture became a meeting point for locals and visitors alike.

Bronze sculpture

A sculpture made of bronze.

The bronze sculpture reflected light beautifully, giving it a sense of movement throughout the day.

Marble sculpture

A sculpture carved from marble.

The marble sculpture showed incredible detail, especially in the folds of clothing and facial expression.

Create a sculpture

To make a three-dimensional artwork.

She decided to create a sculpture using recycled materials to explore themes of waste and renewal.

Sculpture exhibition

An art display.

The sculpture exhibition attracted visitors who enjoyed walking around the pieces and seeing them from every angle.

Outdoor sculpture

A sculpture placed outside.

The outdoor sculpture blended naturally with the surrounding trees and open space.

Sculpture artist

A person who makes sculptures.

The sculpture artist explained how each piece required both physical strength and careful planning.

Sculpture material

The substance used.

Choosing the right sculpture material affects both the appearance and durability of the final work.

Sculpture technique

A method of sculpting.

Learning one sculpture technique at a time helped him improve without feeling overwhelmed.

Sculpture collection

A group of sculptures.

The museum’s sculpture collection ranged from ancient pieces to experimental modern works.

Sculpture workshop

A hands-on class.

During the sculpture workshop, participants learned how to shape clay using simple tools.

Sculpture design

The planned form of a sculpture.

The sculpture design began as a rough sketch before becoming a physical object.

Sculpture form

The shape of the artwork.

The smooth sculpture form invited viewers to walk around it slowly and explore its curves.

Sculpture display

The way sculptures are shown.

The sculpture display allowed enough space so each piece could be appreciated on its own.

Sculpture process

The stages of creation.

The sculpture process took months, from planning and shaping to final polishing.

Sculpture detail

Small artistic features.

Close inspection revealed sculpture detail that was easy to miss from a distance.

Finish a sculpture

Complete the artwork.

He felt a strong sense of satisfaction when he finally managed to finish a sculpture he had worked on for weeks.

Words Rhyme with sculpture

culture
vulture
puncture
juncture
structure
rupture
capture
fracture
nurture
torture
texture
mixture
fixture
future
stature
lecture
conjecture
agriculture
aquaculture
aviculture
floriculture
horticulture
pisciculture
viticulture
silviculture
acupuncture
architecture
restructure
infrastructure
superstructure
POS: Noun, Verb  Category: Arts