performance art

noun

: a nontraditional art form often with political or topical themes that typically features a live presentation to an audience or onlookers (as on a street) and draws on such arts as acting, poetry, music, dance, or painting

performance artist noun

Examples of performance art in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Built from a clandestine audio recording Weist made during the interview, the work occupies a niche between documentary theater, performance art and procedural drama. — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

As competitors down dogs for ten straight minutes with a ravenous efficiency that feels worlds apart from snacking on a frank at the ballpark, eating escalates into an élite physical spectacle nearing performance art. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

Riffing on the mysterious Area 51 in the Las Vegas desert, this bizarre indoor, immersive entertainment venue blends elements of Hollywood, performance art, adrenaline-pumping adventures and food. — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

The Guggenheim is known for showcasing modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, photography and performance art. — Zach Powell, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for performance art

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart