art deco

noun

art de·​co ˌärt-ˈde-ˌkō How to pronounce art deco (audio)
ˌär(t)-dā-ˈkō,
ˈär(t)-ˈdā-(ˌ)
often capitalized A&D
: a popular design style of the 1920s and 1930s characterized especially by bold outlines, geometric and zigzag forms, and the use of new materials (such as plastic)

Examples of art deco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each of the 60 rooms is modernized, featuring art nouveau and art deco furnishings. Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025 Situated in a lake house perched over Lake Wakatipu, Nest is outfitted in an art deco style with expansive windows and al fresco dining to put the lake on full display. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025 Tulsa is another iconic destination along Route 66, featuring historic neon signs, art deco buildings, retro diners and quirky stops like the Golden Driller statue. Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 In 2023, another cat gained viral attention when his cat broke a one-of-a-kind art deco basin. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for art deco

Word History

Etymology

French Art Déco, from Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, an exposition of modern decorative and industrial arts held in Paris, France, in 1925

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of art deco was in 1966

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Art deco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art%20deco. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on art deco

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!