art

noun

\ ˈärt

Definition of art

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation the art of making friends

2a : 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

4a : 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

5a archaic : a skillful plan

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

6 : decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter

art

adjective

Definition of art (Entry 2 of 5)

: produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes an art film art dolls art music

art

\ ˈärt,

ərt\

Definition of art (Entry 3 of 5)

archaic present tense second-person singular of be

art

abbreviation

Definition of art (Entry 4 of 5)

1 article

2 artificial

3 artillery

-art

noun suffix

Definition of -art (Entry 5 of 5)

— see -ard

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about art

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Choose the Right Synonym for art

Noun

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

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: Noun

Individual dance steps, like individual words and musical notes, can often form the foundation of other pieces of art. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Fortnite keeps stealing dances — and no one knows if it’s illegal," 20 Dec. 2018 Coppola spent decades visiting, drawing, and researching the tile, terracotta, and faience artworks that give NYC commuters a daily dose of art. — Curbed Staff, Curbed, "18 enticing new books on design, cities, and more," 14 Dec. 2018 Daniel Infanger Othoniel says working with Marino led to a lot of experimentation—which is how this massive piece of art came to be. — Sally Holmes, Marie Claire, "Chanel's New Flagship Contains a 60-Foot Tall Pearl Necklace Sculpture," 17 Nov. 2018 Earlier this month, the marker was swiped and taken apart by an apparent serial sign thief, part of a long history of art being destroyed in Fremont. — Mike Rosenberg, The Seattle Times, "Its landmark stolen, Fremont rebuilds Center of the Universe sign," 17 Nov. 2018 Sonja, who became queen consort in 1991, found ways to integrate her love of art into her royal duties. — Julie Belcove, Town & Country, "Queen Sonja of Norway Is Also an Accomplished Artist," 1 Nov. 2018 This is more of an art than a science, but the illustrator nonetheless shows the rise of private companies and decline of state providers over the last decade or two. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: SpaceX nabs another contract, Vector cashes in, Vulcan delay," 26 Oct. 2018 The Adventure Alpha is currently using the original textures, though those will reportedly be swapped out for new art over time. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Walking Dead resurrected, Baldur's Gate 3 rumors, Into the Breach done quick," 12 Oct. 2018 My theory on this, and my philosophy is art and science. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Why Sweetgreen thinks like a tech company," 17 Dec. 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.

History and Etymology for art

Noun and Adjective

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

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

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More Definitions for art

art

noun

English Language Learners Definition of art

: 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.

See the full definition for art in the English Language Learners Dictionary

art

noun

\ ˈärt

Kids Definition of art

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.

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