modern

1 of 2

adjective

mod·​ern ˈmä-dərn How to pronounce modern (audio)
 nonstandard  ˈmä-d(ə-)rən
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.
modernly adverb
modernness noun

modern

2 of 2

noun

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

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 Triple Trophy Award is given to anyone who harvests a deer using the three historical methods of harvest -- archery equipment, muzzle-loader and modern gun. Arkansas Game and Fish, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024 Is the property—which is celebrating its centennial in 2024—trying to pay homage to the past by shunning modern technology? Katie Jackson, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Heidegger followed in a long line of German intellectuals, going as far back as the eighteenth century, who believed that the country was destined to play a transformative role in human history -- a kind of modern rejoinder to the creative glory of ancient Greece. Gregory Fried, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2014 The production team found a house that screamed Palm Springs mid-century modern with an open background, a pool and spectacular views. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for modern 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modern.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of modern was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near modern

Cite this Entry

“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modern. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

modern

1 of 2 adjective
mod·​ern ˈmäd-ərn How to pronounce modern (audio)
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
modernity noun
modernness noun

modern

2 of 2 noun
: a person of modern times or ideas

More from Merriam-Webster on modern

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