modern

adjective

mod·ern | \ ˈmä-dərn ,

nonstandard ˈmä-d(ə-)rən \

Definition of modern

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

4 : of or relating to modernism : modernist Modern art has abandoned the representation of recognizable objects.

modern

noun

Definition of modern (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a person of modern times or views

b : an adherent of modernism : modernist

2 : a style of printing type distinguished by regularity of shape, precise curves, straight hairline serifs, and heavy downstrokes

Other Words from modern Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about modern

Keep scrolling for more

Other words from modern

Adjective

modernity \mə-ˈdər-nə-tē,

mä-, -ˈder-

\ noun

modernly \ˈmä-dərn-lē

\ adverb

modernness \-dərn-nəs

\ noun

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: Adjective

Founded in 1870 in Springfield, Illinois, the company produced America’s most interesting art noveau, art deco, and pre-modern watches from 1919 through the 1930s, when Hamilton, which had bought the brand in 1928, stopped producing them. — Norman Pearlstine, Fortune, "When American Watches Rivaled the Swiss," 4 July 2018 And enjoy this mystical-meets-modern peek at today’s solstice sunrise over Stonehenge. — Morning Brief, The Seattle Times, "Summer solstice is here and Trump’s halt to family separations brings confusion, big questions | Thursday Morning Brief, June 21," 22 June 2018 His faceless two men fighting a cartoonish emperor in one image is decidedly modern, clean and profoundly worrying in its exhortation to kill the enemy. — Anne Tschida, miamiherald, "The Power of Propaganda," 22 June 2018 Instead of creating a third jersey with a mixture of modern and classic designs the Coyotes decided to employ the if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it strategy. — Richard Morin, azcentral, "Arizona Coyotes reveal original black 'Kachina' sweaters as new third jersey," 22 June 2018 The biggest difference from most modern tackle was in the rods. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Retro outing proves fishing fun - and gear - is timeless," 14 July 2018 Rainbow Kitten Surprise delivered an unlikely combination of late-period Queen, modern pop, hip-hop and something else that either God or Rob Sheffield will have to figure out. — Jeffrey Lee Puckett, The Courier-Journal, "Miss Day 1 of Forecastle? No worries, here are 5 things you missed!," 14 July 2018 The new Illiana Christian High School will open next month with a modern learning environment and bigger classrooms. — Meredith Colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "New Illiana Christian High School set to open in August," 13 July 2018 This type of talc is not used in modern consumer products. — NBC News, "Johnson & Johnson talc verdict goes against what is known about cancer," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

For critics, the absence of the modern is compounded by a lack of stylistic purity. — Anthony Alofsin, The Atlantic, "A Defense of the Suburbs," 6 June 2018 Photos courtesy of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty A crisp Donald Wexler midcentury modern is up for sale in that sunny California enclave of Palm Springs. — Lauren Ro, Curbed, "Nab this Donald Wexler midcentury pad in Palm Springs for $725K," 29 May 2018 For frantic moderns, silence also seems part of the comfort offered by primitive or eternal things. — The Economist, "People crave silence, yet are unnerved by it," 17 May 2018 Measuring 1,774 square feet, the midcentury modern is nevertheless bright, spacious, and airy, with four bedrooms, two baths, and expansive common areas unfurling across a flowing floorplan. — Lauren Ro, Curbed, "Updated SoCal Eichler asks $985K," 11 May 2018 For a more recent vintage of design appreciators who can’t recall a time when midcentury modern wasn’t in vogue? — Kelsey Keith, Curbed, "57 minutes with design impresario Murray Moss," 2 Apr. 2018 In Philadelphia, discerning home decor junkies will find a tapas-bar-like array of stores, covering all the spice notes from traditional antique and international contemporary to local-artisan modern and far-out exotic. — Maura Sheehy, ELLE Decor, "Shopping Philadelphia," 5 July 2012 The shapes combine a mid-century modern, real-world sensibility with the glamour and detail of the Art Deco era. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Curves ahead," 30 Mar. 2018 Custom upholstery, knobs and accessories give the interior a splash of mid century modern, and the outside holds its own just fine! — Katina Beniaris, Country Living, "This Colorful Little Camper Is Exactly What Your Next Camping Trip Needs," 24 May 2017

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