1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past : contemporary
the modern American family
b
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a period extending from a relevant remote past to the present time
modern history
2
: involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas : up-to-date
modern methods of communication
3
capitalized
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the present or most recent period of development of a language
Modern English
Examples of modern in a Sentence
Adjective
Water pollution is a growing problem in the modern world.
He's known as the father of modern medicine.
The English that was spoken by William Shakespeare is very different from the modern English spoken today.
She is learning Modern Greek.
They live in one of the most modern cities in the world.
modern methods of communication including e-mail and the Internet
She cut her long hair for a modern look.
He made his old-fashioned apartment look more modern by changing the color of the walls and buying new furniture.
Their latest movie is a modern version of a classic children's story.
She has modern ideas about dating and marriage.
Noun
the leaders of the American suffragists were originally regarded by many people as uppity moderns who should have stayed in their place
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam Raus, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
These modern, design-forward homes have shared amenities like a sauna, a cold plunge, a putting green, and a basketball court.
—Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Erika Owen, Vogue, 6 June 2025
That business is now a block over in another historic building, a mid-century modern dating to 1961 at 730 I St. that was once home to Bank of America offices.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for modern
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Adjective
Even with higher on-average incomes, gay parents face the same challenges of the modern economy as straight ones — from student loan repayments to a carton of eggs.
—Sam Raus, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
These modern, design-forward homes have shared amenities like a sauna, a cold plunge, a putting green, and a basketball court.
—Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Noun
Its aesthetic ranges from mid-century modern to contemporary, offering a little something for everyone.
—Erika Owen, Vogue, 6 June 2025
That business is now a block over in another historic building, a mid-century modern dating to 1961 at 730 I St. that was once home to Bank of America offices.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for modern
Cite this Entry
“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modern. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
modern
1 of 2 adjective
mod·ern
ˈmäd-ərn 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the recent past
2
: of or relating to the period from about 1500 to the present
modern history
Modern English
modern
2 of 2 noun
: a person of modern times or ideas
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