Shaping has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Adjective
Noun
1
any process serving to define the shape of something
"The artist carefully used sandpaper and chisels, engaging in the shaping of the rough clay into a smooth vase."
2
the act of fabricating something in a particular shape
"The artisan spent hours carefully shaping the clay until it formed a perfect bowl."
3
The action of the verb to shape.
"The sculptor spent hours shaping the clay into a detailed figure."
In plain English: Shaping is when you gradually change something by making small adjustments over time until it becomes what you want it to be.
"The constant political pressure is playing an important role in shaping public opinion about the new policy."
Verb
1
present participle of shape
"The sculptor is shaping the clay into a figure using her fingers."
In plain English: Shaping means gradually changing something by making small adjustments until it becomes what you want it to be.
"The teacher is shaping the students' writing skills with daily practice."
Adjective
1
forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning
"a formative influence"
"a formative experience"
"the plastic forces of nature"
Example Sentences
"The constant political pressure is playing an important role in shaping public opinion about the new policy."
noun
"The shaping of clay requires patience and steady hands."
noun
"His career is currently in a phase of professional shaping."
noun
"The wind played a major role in the shaping of this coastal dune."
noun
"The teacher is shaping the students' writing skills with daily practice."
verb
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
Origin
Shaping comes from Middle English schapynge, which combined the word shape with a suffix indicating an ongoing action. The term entered modern usage as the present participle of "to shape," describing the process of forming something into a specific form.