cubism

noun

cub·​ism ˈkyü-ˌbi-zəm 

variants often Cubism

: a style of art that stresses abstract structure at the expense of other pictorial elements especially by displaying several aspects of the same object simultaneously and by fragmenting the form of depicted objects

cubist

ˈkyü-bist 

noun or adjective

often Cubist

cubistic

kyü-ˈbi-stik 

adjective

Examples of cubism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Asked to design a house that could accommodate three siblings and their respective families on a slender infill lot just steps from the beach, the firm proposed this multifaceted structure that marries quaint clapboard with woodsy California cubism. —Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Covered extensively by the press in New York, the exhibit with nearly 1,400 works included Fauvism, Cubism, and Futurism and made its debut in the city before going to others. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026

Kurt Schwitters was a pioneer in collage, which was also a factor in cubism. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

This example of the Cubism filter below shows that the software's effects aren't as sophisticated as those from top competitors. —PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cubism

noun

cub·​ism ˈkyü-ˌbiz-əm 

: a style of art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes (as squares, triangles, or circles)

cubist

-bist 

adjective or noun