minimalism
noun
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In the 1960s, a few composers, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, began writing music inspired by the music of India and Southeast Asia, often with a quick pulsing beat and chords that are repeated quickly over and over while small changes are slowly introduced. Minimalist art, which began appearing around the same time, tries to strip away all personal elements, often leaving only pure geometric forms; you may have seen the plain silver boxes of Donald Judd, or the straight neon tubes of Bruce Nauman. In literature, the stripped-down fiction of Samuel Beckett and Raymond Carver is often considered minimalist. But there's a real question whether these various types of minimalism should even be considered the same concept.
Examples of minimalism in a Sentence
Tiffany Leigh, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The modern interiors embrace minimalism, featuring vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors adorned with Oaxacan rugs.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Australian Fashion Week street style is renowned for setting trends and reflecting prominent fashion personalities, whether guests prefer classic minimalism, bold hues, or unique layering.
—Melissa Mason, Refinery29, 19 May 2025
Smart direct-to-consumer brands now employ scarcity, storytelling and aesthetic minimalism to make their products feel elite—even if their price points remain within reach for many middle-class consumers.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Minimalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimalism. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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