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
Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
This modern approach to branding aligns with Mela’s packaging design showcasing lively drawings of tattoos, including ones of those oblong watermelons, which were designed by an actual tattoo artist.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Genevieve Cepeda, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
This light and bright aesthetic is carried over into the living room, where Donna transformed the former owner’s look from mid-century modern to farmhouse.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for modern 
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Adjective
Starting in the 1990s, modern liquor pioneers such as Austin's Tito's Handmade Vodka, Hye's Garrison Brothers Distillery, Dripping Springs' Treaty Oak Distilling and Waco's Balcones Distilling sparked a revival that continues to expand each year.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
This modern approach to branding aligns with Mela’s packaging design showcasing lively drawings of tattoos, including ones of those oblong watermelons, which were designed by an actual tattoo artist.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Her style ranges from coastal to mid-century modern and always contains a touch of playfulness.
—Genevieve Cepeda, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
This light and bright aesthetic is carried over into the living room, where Donna transformed the former owner’s look from mid-century modern to farmhouse.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for modern
Articles Related to modern
Dictionary Entries Near modern
Cite this Entry
“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modern. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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