mod·el / ˈmädl/ • n. 1. a three-dimensional representation of a person or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a smaller scale than the original: a model of St. Paul's Cathedral | [as adj.] a model airplane. ∎  (in sculpture) a figure or object made in clay or wax, to be reproduced in another more durable material.2. a system or thing used as an example to follow or imitate: the law became a model for dozens of laws banning nondegradable plastic products | [as adj.] a model farm. ∎  a simplified description, esp. a mathematical one, of a system or process, to assist calculations and predictions: a statistical model used for predicting the survival rates of endangered species. ∎  (model of) a person or thing regarded as an excellent example of a specified quality: as she grew older, she became a model of self-control | [as adj.] he was a model husband and father. ∎  (model for) an actual person or place on which a specified fictional character or location is based: the author denied that Marilyn was the model for his tragic heroine.3. a person, typically a woman, employed to display clothes by wearing them: a fashion model. ∎  a person employed to pose for an artist, photographer, or sculptor.4. a particular design or version of a product: trading your car in for a newer model.• v. (-eled, -el·ing; Brit. -elled, -el·ling) [tr.] 1. fashion or shape (a three-dimensional figure or object) in a malleable material such as clay or wax: use the icing to model a house. ∎  (in drawing or painting) represent so as to appear three-dimensional: the body of the woman to the right is modeled in softer, riper forms. ∎  (model something on/after) use (esp. a system or procedure) as an example to follow or imitate: the research method will be modeled on previous work. ∎  (model oneself on) take (someone admired or respected) as an example to copy: he models himself on rock legend Elvis Presley. ∎  devise a representation, esp. a mathematical one, of (a phenomenon or system): a computer program that can model how smoke behaves.2. display (clothes) by wearing them. ∎  [intr.] work as a model by displaying clothes or posing for an artist, photographer, or sculptor.DERIVATIVES: mod·el·er / ˈmädl-ər/ n.