1
: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation
the art of making friends
2
b
archaic
: learning, scholarship
3
: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill
the art of organ building
4
a
: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects
the art of painting landscapes
also
: works so produced
a gallery for modern art
5
a
archaic
: a skillful plan
b
: the quality or state of being artful (see artful sense 2a)
6
: decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter
: produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes
an art film
art dolls
art music
1
article
2
artificial
3
artillery
see -ard
Examples of art in a Sentence
Noun
a piece of modern art
It's a remarkable picture, but is it art?
The museum has a large collection of folk art.
He studied art in college.
Recent Examples on the Web
Esther Lin, Time, 12 June 2025
His incredibly detailed lithographic art, often of the surgical theater, greeted everyone who stepped through his office doors.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 8 May 2024
Dyer noted that buildings that once housed art spaces in downtown Salt Lake City are being torn down or being used for non-art purposes.
—Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for art
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Advertisement But dishonesty of this nature does not yield good art—at least, not truthful art.
—Esther Lin, Time, 12 June 2025
His incredibly detailed lithographic art, often of the surgical theater, greeted everyone who stepped through his office doors.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Adjective
The inevitable controversy would serve as an excellent art history lesson for a new generation, introducing one of the most important moments in twentieth-century culture—the origins of conceptual art—to a wider, non-art audience.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 8 May 2024
Dyer noted that buildings that once housed art spaces in downtown Salt Lake City are being torn down or being used for non-art purposes.
—Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for art
Cite this Entry
“Art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
art
2 of 2 noun1
: skill that comes through experience or study
the art of making friends
2
: a branch of learning
especially
: one of the nonscientific branches of learning (as literature)
—usually used in plural
a degree in the arts
3
: an occupation that requires knowledge or skill
cooking is an art
4
: the use of skill and creativity especially in the making of things that are beautiful to look at, listen to, or read
5
: the works (as pictures, poems, or songs) produced by artists
Etymology
Old English eart "art"
Noun
Middle English art "art, skill," from early French art (same meaning), from Latin art-, ars "skill"
Medical Definition
ART
abbreviation1
accredited record technician
The education and training necessary to become an ART (accredited record technician) is available through a two-year associate degree program for medical records technicians at a junior or community college.—The Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune2
assisted reproductive technology
A quarter century after the first "test tube" baby, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has risen astronomically.—Anna Mulrine, U.S. News & World Report
Anna Mulrine, U.S. News & World ReportNationally, about 107,000 ART procedures—which include IVF and related procedures that consist of the egg and sperm being handled outside the body—are performed.—Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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