modern

adjective mod·ern \ ˈmä-dərn , nonstandard ˈmä-d(ə-)rən \

Definition of modern

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

4 :of or relating to modernism :modernist

Modern art has abandoned the representation of recognizable objects.

—

modernity

play \mə-ˈdər-nə-tē, mä-, -ˈder-\ noun

—

modernly

play \ˈmä-dərn-lē\ adverb

—

modernness

play \-dərn-nəs\ noun

See modern defined for English-language learners

See modern defined for kids

Examples of modern in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of modern from the Web

Modern cars are more reliant than ever on computers and software that control a varied and complex range of functions.

— bill collins ford, The Courier-Journal, "A New Generation’s Automotive Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
Welcome to It’s Complicated, a week of stories on the sometimes frustrating, sometimes confusing, always engrossing subject of modern relationships.

— katie heaney, The Cut, "When You Have Anxiety and Your Partner Doesn’t," 30 Aug. 2017
Committed to inspiring and championing modern Latino storytellers, El Rey Studios gives voice to creators with bold and imaginative visions that defy convention.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Joey Ryan, feud of sons on Lucha Underground on El Rey Network," 29 Aug. 2017
Since taking office in 2015, Martin’s administration has prioritized the conceptualization and installation of modern and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant playground equipment at Tydings Park, the city noted in a news release.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace dedicates rebuilt Tydings Park playground," 28 Aug. 2017
Modern ship radar automatically calculates the closest point at which other vessels will approach.

— hannah beech, The Seattle Times, "Avoiding detection may make some Navy ships vulnerable," 26 Aug. 2017
The researchers believe that modern mathematics has a lot to learn from the simplicity and accuracy of Babylonian trigonometry.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Researchers Discover Babylonian Tablet Is Ancient Trig Table," 25 Aug. 2017
U of I Extension offers food trends program The University of Illinois Extension is hosting a free program on modern food trends at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the DuPage County extension office, 1100 E. Warrenville Road.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 25 Aug. 2017
In more modern royal history, Balmoral served as the destination for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's less-than-romantic honeymoon.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside the Royals' Favorite Scottish Getaway, Balmoral Castle," 24 Aug. 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.

Origin and Etymology of modern

Late Latin modernus, from Latin modo just now, from modus measure — more at mete

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

See Words from the same year

modern Synonyms

modern

noun

Definition of modern

1 a :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

See modern defined for English-language learners

Examples of modern in a Sentence

the leaders of the American suffragists were originally regarded by many people as uppity moderns who should have stayed in their place

Recent Examples of modern from the Web

Straight-through sound The muffler construction is old-school modern.

— j. daniel jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Modern engineering creates iconic old-school Magnaflow sound," 24 Aug. 2017
Electrochromic glass: A compelling case for the rapidly growing Internet of Things and a very cool—pun intended—way to keep the modern aesthetic modern.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "Smart Windows Are Coming to San Francisco’s Airport," 23 Aug. 2017
Dresses blended modern, flowing cuts with whimsical patterns and dreamy colors.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "Saint Joseph Academy students celebrate prom at Windows on the River (photos)," 25 May 2017
This furniture is more ornate than, say, Danish modern from the same era.

— star-telegram, "From tired house to midcentury modern dream home," 3 May 2017
Like us moderns, fifteenth-century people noticed Joan of Arc.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Remembering Joan of Arc, the Original Nasty Woman," 9 Jan. 2017
That is why midcentury modern was big for the last 15 years.

— ingrid abramovitch, ELLE Decor, "Gary Friedman On Revolutionizing Retail, RH Modern, And Great Taste," 5 Aug. 2016

Origin and Etymology of modern

see ¹modern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

See Words from the same year

modern Synonyms

Synonyms

modernist, ultramodernist

Antonyms

antediluvian, dodo, fogy (also fogey), fossil, fuddy-duddy, reactionary, stick-in-the-mud

Related Words

neophiliac; leftist, lefty, liberal, progressive; extremist, radical, reformer, reformist, revolutionary, revolutionist; bohemian

Near Antonyms

conservative, rightist, right-winger, standpatter, Tory; old hand, old-timer, veteran; conformist, traditionalist; archconservative, Bourbon, diehard, neocon, neoconservative, paleoconservative; Colonel Blimp, square, stuffed shirt

MODERN Defined for English Language Learners

modern

adjective

Definition of modern for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the present time or the recent past : happening, existing, or developing at a time near the present time
: of or relating to the current or most recent period of a language
: based on or using the newest information, methods, or technology