state of the art

noun phrase

: the level of development (as of a device, procedure, process, technique, or science) reached at any particular time usually as a result of modern methods

state-of-the-art

ˈstāt-əv-ṯẖē-ˈärt 

adjective

Examples of state of the art in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now the original structure of the two-story, mid-century brick house has a state of the art structure adjacent to that houses the musician’s archives, as well as performance spaces, research rooms and an exhibition room. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026

As with other business operations, processes and transactions, AI is rapidly advancing what is considered the state of the art, adding features, automating tasks, and personalizing user experiences. —Gil Press, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Distance records are an excellent proxy for the state of the art in astronomy. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025

Flagship missions like the James Webb Space Telescope push the state of the art in new technologies and materials. —Ari Koeppel, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for state of the art

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