Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Elgin marbles /ĕl'-jĭn mär'-bəlz/ · El·gin mar·bles · IPA 01 Greek sculptures in the British Museum. They were obtained at Athens, about 1811, by Lord Elgin. 1. Greek sculptures in the British Museum. They were obtained at Athens, about 1811, by Lord Elgin.