International Style

noun

1
: a style in European art of the 14th and early 15th centuries marked by sinuous line, rich color, and decorative surface detail
2
: a style in architecture developed in the 1920s that uses modern materials (such as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete), expresses structure directly, and eliminates nonstructural ornament

Examples of International Style in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Spain said Eaton is a key piece of the 1940s Modernist plan for the campus that guided its development and an exemplar of the International Style of design that then prevailed. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 The Soriano’s nautical form, wraparound windows, and thin, flat roof, each a groundbreaking feat in the ’30s and a defining International Style feature, meanwhile, would remain Soriano’s narrative alone. Richard Olsen, Forbes.com, 10 Jan. 2026 Set on nearly four acres with sweeping views of the Cross River Reservoir, the 3,740-square-foot International Style residence was completed in 1980 and thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly with its natural setting. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025 The International Style, also called Modern European Architecture Style, refers to architecture that emerged in Holland, France and Germany after World War I and became the dominant architectural style until the 1970s. Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 The International Style, also called Modern European Architecture Style, refers to architecture that emerged in Holland, France and Germany after World War I and became the dominant architectural style until the 1970s. Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025 For the discerning, modern-minded parent whose home is designed within an inch of its life, Knoll’s pint-size Barcelona chair ensures that even your little one’s seating adheres to the International Style. Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025 Leave a comment View Comments The architectural tides also shifted drastically as the International Style architectural movement swiftly rose to prominence in the 1930s, prizing functionality in its blocky concrete forms with no decor — the antithesis of its predecessors. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of International Style was in 1911

Cite this Entry

“International Style.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/International%20Style. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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