woodcut

noun

wood·​cut ˈwu̇d-ˌkət 

1

: a relief printing surface consisting of a wooden block with a usually pictorial design cut with the grain

2

: a print from a woodcut

Examples of woodcut in a Sentence

a collection of fine woodcuts

Recent Examples on the Web

The objects on view range from early woodcut illustrations to 1960s music stands, capturing the full breadth of this master artisan’s singular practice. —Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2024

The work is a print of Dürer’s woodcut engraving Knight, Death and the Devil (1513). —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

These woodcuts are so large, each of the five scenes is a triptych of three 8-by-4-feet cherry plywood panels, which Hobbs prepares with black paint before carving light and dark areas. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2024

The prickly relationship between Suzie and her prickly, passive-aggressive mother-in-law, Noriko (actor, singer, woodcut artist Judy Ongg, quite wonderful) is intentionally frustrating and beautifully played. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

woodcut

noun

wood·​cut -ˌkət 

1

: a printing surface having a raised design carved from a block of wood

2

: a print from a woodcut