1
: a usually miniature representation of something
a plastic model of the human heart
also
: a pattern of something to be made
2
a
: a type or design of product (such as a car)
offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible
b
: a type or design of clothing
girls, self-conscious in their Paris models—
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
4
5
: an example for imitation or emulation
his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style—A. B. Noble
A. B. Noble6
: one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise
has appeared as a model in ads for swimsuits
7
: a person or thing that serves as a pattern for an artist
especially
: one who poses for an artist
His wife served as the model for many of his paintings.
8
: version sense 2
an experimental model of a bionic arm
9
: a description or analogy used to help visualize something (such as an atom) that cannot be directly observed
10
: structural design
a home on the model of an old farmhouse
11
: an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates
12
14
obsolete
: a set of plans for a building
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
ˈmäd-liŋ,
ˈmä-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model
modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.
2
a
: to shape or fashion in a plastic material
modeling figures from clay
b
: to produce a representation or simulation (see simulation sense 3a) of
using a computer to model a problem
3
: to display by wearing, using, or posing with
modeled gowns
4
: to plan or form after a pattern : shape
legislative institutions primarily modeled on the English pattern
5
archaic
: to make into an organization (such as an army, government, or parish)
1
: to work or act as a fashion or art model
Each contestant modeled in front of the judges.
2
: to design or imitate forms : make a pattern
The students are modeling in clay.
1
: serving as or capable of serving as a pattern
a model student
2
: being a usually miniature representation of something
a model airplane
Synonyms
Examples of model in a Sentence
Noun
She's building a model of the Earth for science class.
a plastic model of the human heart
We've improved on last year's model, making the car safer and easier to control.
He bought one of the old 1965 models.
We couldn't afford one of the fancy TVs and had to buy the standard model.
We've developed a computer model of the economy to predict what will happen in the future.
Companies are developing new business models.
Verb
The faces of the gods were modeled in white stone.
They're modeling this year's new spring fashions.
She got a job modeling shoes for a catalog company.
a fashion model who has angered animal lovers by modeling fur coats
Adjective
Our university has a model program for training its athletes.
why can't you be like your sister, who is such a well-behaved model child?
Recent Examples on the Web
Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
The increase is attributed to higher demand from the indirect supply model.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
So, what can parents do to model equanimity and grace in these very uncertain and high-pressure times?
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
According to online reports, the buyers are model Olivia Culpo and her San Francisco 49ers husband Christian McCaffrey, who picked up the nearly 3.2-acre spread for $14.5 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for model 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Freightliner, Kenworth, PACCAR, Peterbilt, Toyota and Volvo all are developing EV models, depending on the truck segment and weight class.
—Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
The increase is attributed to higher demand from the indirect supply model.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Tax Policy Center expects his policy to model a recent bill passed in Alabama that exempts taxpayers from paying taxes on overtime pay.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
So, what can parents do to model equanimity and grace in these very uncertain and high-pressure times?
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In October, Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor said the brothers had been model prisoners and recommended that they be resentenced to 50 years to life in prison.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
According to online reports, the buyers are model Olivia Culpo and her San Francisco 49ers husband Christian McCaffrey, who picked up the nearly 3.2-acre spread for $14.5 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for model
Dictionary Entries Near model
Cite this Entry
“Model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/model. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
model
1 of 3 noun
mod·el
ˈmäd-ᵊl
1
a
: a small but exact copy of something
a ship model
b
: a pattern or figure of something to be made
clay models for a statue
2
: a person who sets a good example
a model of politeness
3
a
: a person or thing that serves as an artist's pattern
especially
: a person who poses for an artist or photographer
b
: a person who wears in the presence of customers garments that are for sale or who poses for ads for merchandise (as clothes)
4
: type entry 1 sense 2b, kind
our car is a late model
5
a
: a description or construction used to help form a picture of something (as an atom) that cannot be seen directly
a model of a DNA molecule
b
: a computer simulation
climate models
model
3 of 3 adjective1
: serving as or worthy of being a pattern
a model student
2
: being a miniature copy of something
a model airplane
Medical Definition
model
1 of 2 noun
mod·el
ˈmäd-ᵊl
1
a
: a pattern of something to be made : a cast of a tooth or oral cavity
2
: something (as a similar object or a construct) used to help visualize or explore something else (as the living human body) that cannot be directly observed or experimented on see animal model
3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
model
2 of 2 transitive verb
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
ˈmäd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ
: to produce (as by computer) a representation or simulation of
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