1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the present or the immediate past : contemporary
the modern world
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
made their house look more modern
a modern retelling of a classic children's story
3
Modern
: 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
Jelena Kecmanovic, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In the decades that followed, subsequent generations of the Faessler family transformed the inn into a large, modern hotel, adding additional rooms and upscale amenities like an indoor pool and tennis courts, all while maintaining its homey hospitality and charm.
—Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Now, the 148-room hotel showcases the vision of designer Kelly Wearstler, known for her knack for blending vintage and California modern, with nods to the property’s historic roots.
—Krista Simmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modern
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Adjective
At home, what’s needed is a modern partnership grounded in equality, openness, companionship and dialogue.
—Jelena Kecmanovic, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In the decades that followed, subsequent generations of the Faessler family transformed the inn into a large, modern hotel, adding additional rooms and upscale amenities like an indoor pool and tennis courts, all while maintaining its homey hospitality and charm.
—Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Buried beneath Milan’s rush to the modern from the Middle Ages — just beyond the Duomo Cathedral, which was begun in 1386, is the massive 15th Century Sforza Castle — lies a more recent history the city would just as soon forget.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Now, the 148-room hotel showcases the vision of designer Kelly Wearstler, known for her knack for blending vintage and California modern, with nods to the property’s historic roots.
—Krista Simmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modern
Cite this Entry
“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modern. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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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