modernism

noun

mod·​ern·​ism ˈmä-dər-ˌni-zəm 

1

: a practice, usage, or expression peculiar to modern times

such modernisms as "blog," "bromance," and "steampunk"

2

often capitalized : a tendency in theology to accommodate traditional religious teaching to contemporary thought and especially to devalue supernatural elements

3

: modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice

especially : a self-conscious break with the past and a search for new forms of expression

extols the … modernism that laid the foundation of all twentieth-century design

—Jeffrey Simpson

modernist

ˈmä-dər-nist 

noun or adjective

modernistic

ˌmä-dər-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Examples of modernism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As evidenced when the decision to tear down and rebuild Hotel Okura Tokyo, a towering symbol of Japanese modernism, was announced in 2015. —Isabelle Kliger, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Conceived by Chesterman Design and Architecture in collaboration with artist-designer James McGrath, Southern Cross reinterprets tropical modernism through courtyards, verandas, and floating planes intended to dissolve the line between indoors and out. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025

What makes the capital of Mexico unique and special is its balance of history, art, culture and modernism, all blended into one large metropolitan area. —Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Nostalgia seems to have been replaced by modernism at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing modernism

• hyper-modernism

Rhymes for modernism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

modernism

noun

mod·​ern·​ism ˈmäd-ər-ˌniz-əm 

: a modern custom, expression, style, or idea

modernist

-nəst 

noun or adjective

modernistic

ˌmäd-ər-ˈnis-tik 

adjective