art

noun \ ˈärt \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of art

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation

the art of making friends

2 a : a branch of learning:

(1) : one of the humanities

(2) arts plural : liberal arts

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

b (1) : fine arts

(2) : one of the fine arts

(3) : one of the graphic arts

5 a archaic : a skillful plan

b : the quality or state of being artful (see artful 2a)

6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

See art defined for English-language learners

Examples of art in a Sentence

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 of art from the Web

The trouble is that Springsteen’s art had always been animated by a sense of community.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "Revisiting the Bruce Springsteen albums nobody likes," 18 May 2018
The auction house addressed the incident in a Sunday statement, announcing that the art, valued at $70 million, will be restored immediately.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Steve Wynn's $70 Million Pablo Picasso Painting 'Accidentally Damaged' Just Days Before Sale," 17 May 2018
Lempicka, who was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1898, grew up with a love for art, from Italian Renaissance paintings to the post-cubism work of French painters Maurice Denis and André Lhote.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Who is Tamara de Lempicka? Google honors Polish Art Deco artist," 16 May 2018
It’s not driven by a particular need, and not organized by a standing art, civic or business group.

— james b. nelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Hoan Bridge lights would enhance Milwaukee's skyline, celebrate those who inspire others," 16 May 2018
In addition to the wine Grapevine's famous for, there will be craft beer, food, games, art, even a tennis tournament.

— sandy guerra-cline, star-telegram, "The top 10 list: Let the weekend begin ... please | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 May 2018
Africa and hair braiding is an ancient art, handed down from generation to generation in Africa.

— amira rasool, Teen Vogue, "How 'Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable' Shirt Designer Nareasha Willis Fights Cultural Appropriation," 15 May 2018
The event’s organizers are a loose collaboration of individuals in midtown who focus on 10 areas: art, community, communications, education, environment, health, justice, resources, science and spirituality.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events May 17-23: Royals vs. Yankees, T-Bones, Darren Knight, ‘On Your Feet’ | The Kansas City Star," 15 May 2018
In fact, the art of changing your own gears is becoming so endangered that Honda felt the need to produce a YouTube video to teach people how to do it.

— gary gastelu, Fox News, "The 2018 Honda Accord Sport is a stirring sedan," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'art.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of art

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars — more at arm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

art Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of art

art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

- the art of choosing the right word

skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

- the skill of a glassblower

cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

- a mystery plotted with great cunning

artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

- believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

- the craft of a master goldsmith

art

adjective

Definition of art

: produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes

an art film

art dolls

art music

Origin and Etymology of art

see ¹art

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1853

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

art

\ ˈärt , ərt \

Definition of art

archaic present tense second-person singular of be

Origin and Etymology of art

Middle English, from Old English eart; akin to Old Norse est, ert (thou) art, Old English is is

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

art

abbreviation

Definition of art

1 article

2 artificial

3 artillery

-art

noun suffix

Definition of -art

— see -ard

ART Defined for English Language Learners

art

noun

Definition of art for English Language Learners

: something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings
: works created by artists : paintings, sculptures, etc., that are created to be beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings
: the methods and skills used for painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.

ART Defined for Kids

art

noun \ ˈärt \

Definition of art for Students

1 : works (as pictures, poems, or songs) made through use of the imagination and creative skills by artists

the art of the Renaissance

2 : the methods and skills used for creative visual works (as painting, sculpting, and drawing)

a teacher of art

3 : an activity (as painting, music, or writing) whose purpose is making things that are beautiful to look at, listen to, or read

the performing arts

4 : skill that comes through experience or study

the art of making friends

5 : an activity that requires skill

Cooking is an art.

Medical Dictionary

ART

abbreviation

medical Definition of ART

1 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, 7 Dec. 1992

2 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, 27 Sept. 2004

Nationally, 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, 21 Mar. 2004