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

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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

What emerged was a blueprint for the modern welfare state. — The Economist, "The welfare state needs updating," 12 July 2018 Otherwise, the venture reads like a paint-by-numbers restaurant concept — the modern Detroit dining equivalent of the Brooklyn Bar Menu Generator. — Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Restaurant Review: Detroit's Empire Kitchen & Cocktails has no clothes," 12 July 2018 Trump, for his part, has given Congress more legitimate reasons to exercise its independent authority than any modern president. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Paul Ryan Unaware Constitution Lets Congress Override Presidential Veto," 12 July 2018 This isn’t the first time the effects of modern society’s nature deprivation have gotten spotlighted. — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Massive new study review confirms nature nurtures your health," 12 July 2018 The Regulars is a photo and video column that offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the Bay Area, caught in routine activities of modern urban life. — Jessica Christian, SFChronicle.com, "Glass bender melds art, science to create and restore neon signs," 9 July 2018 People can use a lot of chemicals to maintain a modern yard in Idaho’s high desert, and these can hurt bees and other pollinators such as butterflies and beetles. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "Why are these 250,000 bees hanging out on this sweet Downtown Boise rooftop?," 11 July 2018 July 12 will bring the Bill O’Connell Big Band to Oak Brook, featuring songs from the oldies to the more modern, with contemporary arrangements of traditional big band songs. — Chuck Fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Brook summer concert series underway," 1 July 2018 Even though the Panthers' facilities aren't modern, the team still managed to reach the Super Bowl in 2016. — Steve Harrison, charlotteobserver, "NFL teams are building state-of-the-art practice palaces. Is 'Panthers Park' coming?," 28 June 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.