minimalism
noun
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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.
Examples of minimalism in a Sentence
Essence, 27 June 2025
In Wisconsin, The Lido chose a different path, opting for minimalism.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Over the past few weeks, stars have been debuting their best summer frocks—and the consensus this year is that minimalism is back.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 June 2025
The pillow’s comfy, off-white terrycloth embodies Owens’ signature aesthetic of minimalism and monochrome, elevating your everyday lounging.
—Alia Yee Noll, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Minimalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimalism. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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