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
Synonyms
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
Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company/chapel Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024
The rapper-singer-songwriter-producer is almost a Kevin Bacon-esque figure in modern music.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
About the modern Black heroes whose art touches millions.
—USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
So much of modern society is designed to belittle us, to fracture us.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024
Designed in the same spirit as Can Tres and among one of the most beautiful stays in Ibiza, rustic charms blend masterfully with nature in each of Can Domo’s eight individual rooms–some featuring private plunge pools, while still managing to maintain a modern and comfortable feel.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
Having the first wedding celebration thought to be held in modern times at the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt, in front of the Sphinx, officiated by the world's foremost Egyptologist, Jain's family friend Dr. Zahi Hawass.
—Charlotte Triggs, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Given the first one is difficult advice to take in our modern age, the next best thing is taking frequent breaks – or perhaps spend more time reading and scrolling outside in the sun.
—Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
Thanks to its beige stucco exterior and being engulfed in greenery, the house sits discreetly in the landscape, while its modern interiors are full of character.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
For many, an organic modern style pulls ideas and concepts from other contemporary designs, such as modern farmhouse or mid-century modern, but always looking for a sense of peacefulness, serenity, and harmony as a whole.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
The midcentury modern remodeled by Brad Burch at IndexAD features views of Boulder and the mountains and backs to open space.
—Sara B. Hansen, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2024
Unlike its Art Deco predecessors, finished in wood and bronze, the S.S. U.S. was mid-century modern, its upper works all aluminum, intended to look to the future and also be completely fire-resistant.
—Brittany Murray/medianews Group/long Beach Press-Telegram Via Getty Images, Curbed, 19 Jan. 2024
To be resilient moderns, Jews needed, rather, a liberal nation rooted in the Hebrew language and a part of the ancient territory; a new Hebrew culture of poets like Hayim Nahman Bialik and, later, Nathan Alterman.
—Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
If mid-century modern is your vibe, this royal blue velvet couch that’s 63 percent off would make a stunning addition to your living room.
—Alex Nelson, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Welcome back to this blend of mid-century modern and a kitschy take on Americana.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
From Victorian to mid-century modern, there’s a palette for that
Standing in front of an array of hundreds — perhaps thousands — of two- or three-inch paint chips at the hardware store can be intimidating.
—Kristen Hartke, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Entry #215 The Archer 1.5-story with Loft by Rob Washam Homes features four bedrooms (two of the bedrooms are on the main floor), four bathrooms, a two-story reception foyer with overlooking catwalk, and a full-sized family room loft, all with modern finishes and colors for today.
—Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company/chapel Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024
The rapper-singer-songwriter-producer is almost a Kevin Bacon-esque figure in modern music.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
About the modern Black heroes whose art touches millions.
—USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024
So much of modern society is designed to belittle us, to fracture us.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024
Designed in the same spirit as Can Tres and among one of the most beautiful stays in Ibiza, rustic charms blend masterfully with nature in each of Can Domo’s eight individual rooms–some featuring private plunge pools, while still managing to maintain a modern and comfortable feel.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
Having the first wedding celebration thought to be held in modern times at the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt, in front of the Sphinx, officiated by the world's foremost Egyptologist, Jain's family friend Dr. Zahi Hawass.
—Charlotte Triggs, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Given the first one is difficult advice to take in our modern age, the next best thing is taking frequent breaks – or perhaps spend more time reading and scrolling outside in the sun.
—Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
Thanks to its beige stucco exterior and being engulfed in greenery, the house sits discreetly in the landscape, while its modern interiors are full of character.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
Her style ranges from coastal to mid-century modern and always contains a touch of playfulness.
—Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
For many, an organic modern style pulls ideas and concepts from other contemporary designs, such as modern farmhouse or mid-century modern, but always looking for a sense of peacefulness, serenity, and harmony as a whole.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
The midcentury modern remodeled by Brad Burch at IndexAD features views of Boulder and the mountains and backs to open space.
—Sara B. Hansen, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2024
Unlike its Art Deco predecessors, finished in wood and bronze, the S.S. U.S. was mid-century modern, its upper works all aluminum, intended to look to the future and also be completely fire-resistant.
—Brittany Murray/medianews Group/long Beach Press-Telegram Via Getty Images, Curbed, 19 Jan. 2024
To be resilient moderns, Jews needed, rather, a liberal nation rooted in the Hebrew language and a part of the ancient territory; a new Hebrew culture of poets like Hayim Nahman Bialik and, later, Nathan Alterman.
—Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
If mid-century modern is your vibe, this royal blue velvet couch that’s 63 percent off would make a stunning addition to your living room.
—Alex Nelson, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Welcome back to this blend of mid-century modern and a kitschy take on Americana.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
From Victorian to mid-century modern, there’s a palette for that
Standing in front of an array of hundreds — perhaps thousands — of two- or three-inch paint chips at the hardware store can be intimidating.
—Kristen Hartke, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
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.
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Dictionary Entries Near modern
Cite this Entry
“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modern. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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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