Definitions for modernˈmɒd ərn

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

mod•ern^*ˈmɒd ərn(adj.)

of or pertaining to present and recent time.
characteristic of present and recent time; contemporary.
of or pertaining to the historical period following the Middle Ages.
Category: Western History
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of contemporary styles of art, literature, music, etc., that reject traditionally accepted or sanctioned forms and emphasize individual experimentation and sensibility.
Category: Music and Dance, Literature, Fine Arts
(cap.)
Category: Language/Linguistics
Ref: new (def. 12). 12
(n.)a person of modern times.
a person whose views and tastes are modern.
Print. a type style differentiated from old style by heavy vertical strokes and straight serifs.

^* Syn: modern , recent , late apply to that which is near to or characteristic of the present time. modern , which is applied to those things that exist in the present age, sometimes has the connotation of up-to-date and, thus, good: modern ideas. That which is recent is separated from the present or the time of action by only a short interval; it is new, fresh, and novel: recent developments.late may mean nearest to the present moment: the late reports on the battle.

Origin of modern:

1490–1500; < MF moderne < LL modernus= L mod(ō) lately, just now (der. of modusmode1) +-ernus adj. suffix of time

mod′ern•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

modern(noun)
a contemporary person
modern, modern font, Bodoni, Bodoni font(adj)
a typeface (based on an 18th century design by Gianbattista Bodoni) distinguished by regular shape and hairline serifs and heavy downstrokes
modern(adj)
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
"modern art"; "modern furniture"; "modern history"; "totem poles are modern rather than prehistoric"
mod, modern, modernistic(adj)
relating to a recently developed fashion or style
"their offices are in a modern skyscraper"; "tables in modernistic designs";
modern(adj)
characteristic of present-day art and music and literature and architecture
advanced, forward-looking, innovative, modern(adj)
ahead of the times
"the advanced teaching methods"; "had advanced views on the subject"; "a forward-looking corporation"; "is British industry innovative enough?"
Modern, New(adj)
used of a living language; being the current stage in its development
"Modern English"; "New Hebrew is Israeli Hebrew"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

modern(adjective)ˈmɒd ərn
current or of the present
modern times
modernˈmɒd ərn
using recent methods, technology, ideas etc.
modern machinery; modern teaching methods

Wiktionary

modern(Noun)
Someone who lives in modern times.
modern(Adjective)
Pertaining to the current time and style.

Origin: From moderne, from modernus; from modo, originally ablative of modus; hence, by measure, "just now". See also mode.

Webster Dictionary

Modern(adj)
of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors; modern fashions; modern taste; modern practice
Modern(adj)
new and common; trite; commonplace
Modern(noun)
a person of modern times; -- opposed to ancient