[count] 1 : a usually small copy of something
▪ She's building a model of the Earth for science class. ▪ models of famous buildings ▪ a plastic model of the human heart ▪ a scale model [=a small but exact copy] of a ship 2 : a particular type or version of a product (such as a car or computer)
▪ 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. 3 : a set of ideas and numbers that describe the past, present, or future state of something (such as an economy or a business)
▪ a mathematical model ▪ We've developed a computer model of the economy to predict what will happen in the future. ▪ Companies are developing new business models. 4 a : something or someone that is a very good example of something
▪ The city is now a model of safety and cleanliness. [=the city is now very safe and clean] ▪ He is a model of politeness. [=he is very polite] ▪ The country was the model of a peaceful nation for over 50 years.
b : something or someone that deserves to be copied by others
▪ The country's economy is a model for the rest of the world. ▪ Her work has become a model to/for other writers. ▪ These soldiers serve as models for their country. — see also role model 5 : someone who is paid to wear clothing, jewelry, etc., in photographs, fashion shows, etc., so that people will see and want to buy what is being worn
▪ a fashion model ▪ male models ▪ She's a model turned actress. [=a model who later became an actress] — see also supermodel 6 : someone whose image is painted, photographed, etc., by an artist
▪ The same model sat/posed for several of his paintings. ▪ drawings of nude models ▪ an artist's model