arts and crafts

noun

often capitalized A&C
: a movement in European and American design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries promoting handcraftsmanship over industrial mass production

Examples of arts and crafts in a Sentence

a shop that sells local arts and crafts, such as pottery and baskets demonstrations of various arts and crafts

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arts and crafts was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near arts and crafts

Cite this Entry

“Arts and crafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arts%20and%20crafts. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on arts and crafts

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!