Meanings
plural Utah teapots
- computer graphicsA three-dimensional mathematical model of a teapot, often used as a reference object to test or assess a rendering technique.
Figure 23.7 demonstrates our smoothing operator applied to a preliminary 3D scan conversion of the Utah teapot.
2003, Stanley Osher, Nikos Paragios, Geometric level set methods in imaging, vision, and graphics2 more examples
The preceding figure shows the Utah teapot, a popular benchmark for surfaces. The teapot is textured by a random polka-dot pattern.
1996, Alyn Rockwood, Peter Chambers, Interactive Curves and Surfaces: A Multimedia Tutorial on CAGDAt the RfB site you will find the complete dataset for the Utah teapot and Gumbo. You are encouraged to use them in your own RenderMan renders […]
2004, Saty Raghavachary, Rendering for Beginners: Image Synthesis Using RenderManSynonyms: Newell teapot
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA three-dimensional mathematical model of a teapot, often used as a reference object to test or assess a rendering technique.
Origin
After the University of Utah, whose researcher Martin Newell designed the model in 1975.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Utah teapot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Utah%20teapot
“Utah teapot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Utah%20teapot. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Utah teapot,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Utah%20teapot.
Source: Utah teapot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.