A statue is a carved or molded figure of a person or animal, usually made from stone, metal, or another durable material. When you visit a park and see a bronze figure of a historical leader standing on a pedestal, you're looking at a statue. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor is one of the world's most famous statues: a 305-foot copper figure representing freedom and welcome.

People create statues to honor important figures, commemorate events, or celebrate ideas. Ancient civilizations carved massive statues of their rulers and gods. Today, you might see statues of scientists, athletes, or civil rights leaders in public squares and museums. Creating a statue takes enormous skill: sculptors must understand how bodies move, how light and shadow work, and how to shape hard materials into forms that look alive.

The word can also describe someone standing perfectly still, as in “He stood as still as a statue” or “She was statuesque in her stillness.” When people play the game “statues,” they freeze in position and try not to move, imitating these unmoving figures.