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

My goal was to be a walking piece of political art. — Katie Intner, PEOPLE.com, "Billy Porter Had the Most Fun at London Fashion Week, Wearing 12 Different Outfits in 3 Days," 17 Sep. 2019 Founded in 1986, Chicago Gateway Green is dedicated to the greening and beautifying of Chicago’s expressways and communities through landscape projects, including the installation of public art. — Candace Jordan, chicagotribune.com, "Green Tie Ball helps beautify Chicago with Pete Wentz and Alligator Robb," 16 Sep. 2019 Race applies as a condition and a cause for resetting the mainstream of Western art. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "The Amy Sherald Effect," 16 Sep. 2019 The profits go to the Fairhaven Residents Association, and it is used to pay for art/ceramic teachers, musical events, bus trips and other activities to enrich the lives of residents. — Sharina Taveras Lopez, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "South Carroll: Integrace Fairhaven hosting Treasure Shop; bestselling romance authors coming to town," 11 Sep. 2019 According to one estimate by the National Archives, Nazis looted 20% of Europe's art during World War II. — Julia Boccagno, CBS News, "Stolen Ivan the Terrible painting returned to Ukraine 75 years later," 9 Sep. 2019 While summer brought a selection of crazy colorful nail art like tie dye and confetti, fall is shaping up to be all about neutrals. — Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, "Tortoiseshell Nails Are Fall’s Coolest Manicure Trend," 9 Sep. 2019 The fest wrapped up on Sept. 8, but the dozens of new pieces of public art are easy to find using Crush Walls’ map. — The Know Staff, The Know, "PHOTOS: Crush Walls 2019 brings dozens of new murals to River North Arts District," 9 Sep. 2019 Justin Ward is an assistant professor of culinary arts at The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio. — Justin Ward, ExpressNews.com, "Ideas for better packed school lunches," 4 Sep. 2019

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