minimalism

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noun min·i·mal·ism \ˈmi-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm\

Definition of minimalism

1 : a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity
2 : minimal art

Recent Examples of minimalism from the Web

The Victorian inn, built by Sam Brannan in 1862, was in sharp contrast to the modern minimalism of Solage, but no less appealing.

— carol ann davidson, idahostatesman, "Wellness springs eternal in Calistoga, Calif.", 2 June 2017
The gesture proved prophetic: within a decade, surging Pop art and minimalism had rendered de Kooning and his many followers, in the eyes of art-world cognoscenti, pitiably passé.

— peter schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "The Audacity of Robert Rauschenberg", 29 May 2017
Add Charlie’s financial confidence to Melissa's minimalism, combined together with Don’s planning.

— peter dunn, USA TODAY, "Pete the Planner: Seek out financial mentors", 27 May 2017
There’s an original score by Adam Crystal, contemporary-classical in idiom, with aspects of minimalism and melody.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "Review: Washington Ballet Scales New Heights via the Classics", 26 May 2017
But unlike the hyperkinetic and color-saturated vision that followed in its footsteps, La Jetée is a testament to the power and beauty of minimalism.

— wired staff, WIRED, "12 Monkeys 1.0", 1 July 1996

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

Did You Know?

In the 1960s, a few composers, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, began writing music inspired by the music of India and Southeast Asia, often with a quick pulsing beat and chords that are repeated quickly over and over while small changes are slowly introduced. Minimalist art, which began appearing around the same time, tries to strip away all personal elements, often leaving only pure geometric forms; you may have seen the plain silver boxes of Donald Judd, or the straight neon tubes of Bruce Nauman. In literature, the stripped-down fiction of Samuel Beckett and Raymond Carver is often considered minimalist. But there's a real question whether these various types of minimalism should even be considered the same concept.