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 \ ˈmä-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

The class would consist of five modern-era players, 10 seniors, three contributors and two coaches. — Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Bengals great Ken Anderson is used to Hall of Fame questions. Just not in July.," 7 July 2019 There also are signs of growth in Baldwin County, where Fairhope Brewing Co. kicked things off as Lower Alabama's first craft brewery in the modern era. — al.com, "Coastal beer boom: New breweries opening soon in Mobile," 7 July 2019 Peppers, by a large margin, ranks as the Bears’ best signing in the modern era of free agency that began in 1993. — Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 63, Julius Peppers," 4 July 2019 The Warriors recognize that dynasties — especially in a modern NBA of near-annual roster turnover — only last so long. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors land D’Angelo Russell in sign-and-trade, send Andre Iguodala to Memphis," 1 July 2019 Fifty years ago, two Black transgender women (one of them Afro-Latina) kicked off the Stonewall Uprising and began what many call the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. — Essence, "Opinion: #StoneWall50 — Liberation Worth Fighting For," 29 June 2019 John Carpenter‘s 1982 film The Thing and David Cronenberg‘s 1986 outing The Fly have long been regarded by many genre fans as the only two horror remakes of the modern era to deserve classic status. — Clark Collis, EW.com, "Scream Factory releasing bonkers The Blob remake on Collector's Edition Blu-ray," 27 June 2019 Even so, Republicans face an unprecedented task in organizing research for the largest field of major Democratic presidential hopefuls in the modern era, who will spar over two nights of debates. — NBC News, "Here's how the RNC is preparing to counter the Democratic debates," 25 June 2019 There are many inventions in this modern era that deserve our respect, adoration, and credit card numbers, but none are as utterly silly and wonderful as the inflatable flamingo drink holder. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, "Summer’s Hottest Accessory Is... an Inflatable Drink Holder?," 24 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

An Instagram snap shared by Nicolas Ghesquiere, Artistic Director of Women's Collections for Louis Vuitton, also revealed a modern, cut-out shape across the back. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Sophie Turner Shares the First Look at Her Stunning Louis Vuitton Wedding Dress," 4 July 2019 These were the Neanderthals and Denisovans, archaic humans who interbred with those early moderns, leaving bits of their DNA behind today in the genomes of people of non-African descent. — Quanta Magazine, "Artificial Intelligence Finds Ancient ‘Ghosts’ in Modern DNA," 7 Feb. 2019 His flat-roofed midcentury modern, acquired in 2012 for $10 million, is treacherously cantilevered over a craggy, near-sheer bluff and graced with spectacular views of the bay. — Variety, The Mercury News, "Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey scoops up $22 million San Francisco house next door," 5 June 2019 The designs are minimalist and mid-century modern in nature, with natural wood element options on upholstered pieces and laminate geometric patterns available for tables and storage pieces. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "This Custom Furniture Company Promises Quick Shipping, Affordable Prices, and—Gasp—10-Minute Assembly," 6 Dec. 2018 Over the last few decades, architectural groups have turned their attention from modernist favorites to post-modern and late modern structures, such as the Vanna Venturi house. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Rethinking the modern house museum," 12 Oct. 2018 Saying mid-century modern's had a revival would be one serious understatement. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018 Today Bocagrande, which has some of Colombia's most expensive real estate, is the neighborhood of choice for those who prefer, and can afford, ocean-side modern. — Maureen Orth, Town & Country, "Inside Cartagena," 11 Jan. 2013 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

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.