modernity

noun

mo·​der·​ni·​ty mə-ˈdər-nə-tē How to pronounce modernity (audio)
mä-,
-ˈder- How to pronounce modernity (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being or appearing to be modern
Such details as street lamps, telephone booths, mailboxes and manhole covers have been expensively recreated to recall a past that makes even young Hungarians nostalgic and Western tourists regret the flashy modernity of their cities.Henry Kamm
His early work portrayed the idiosyncratic behavior of his zany upper-class family whose wealth and quest for modernity impelled them to try out all the latest inventions and devices of the time, from electric razors to automobiles to flying machines.Naomi Rosenblum
2
: the modern era or world and especially the ideas and attitudes associated with the modern world
For all his conservatism, Henry Adams's encounter with modernity led neither to romantic antiquarianism … nor to an intensified commitment to those very liberal arts that were under siege in a market society.Peter N. Miller

Examples of modernity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Rift-cut oak cabinetry, wood floors, and stone surfaces ground the space, while Fleetwood high-performance glazing and a custom steel fireplace add a touch of modernity. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2025 The Big Bang represents a revolution in watchmaking, a perfect union of tradition and modernity. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025 This is a place where history and modernity intertwine, where tradition informs innovation, and where the future of Danish food and wine is being written in the soil. Paul Caputo, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 These names carry a timeless quality and are seen as versatile, offering a balance between tradition and modernity. Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for modernity

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of modernity was in 1635

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Cite this Entry

“Modernity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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