minimalism

noun

min·​i·​mal·​ism ˈmi-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm 

1

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

2

: minimal art

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.

Examples of minimalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The beach is a great place for minimalism, so taking a balanced approach is best. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

So is a reaction against the minimalism that dominated interiors for the past decade. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Think About Sustainability Landscape a small yard in a way that goes with the tiny house aesthetic of minimalism and sustainability. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026

Timber, steel and glass give the architecture clarity, while natural materials keep its minimalism from feeling cold. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for minimalism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism