modernity

noun

mo·​der·​ni·​ty mə-ˈdər-nə-tē 

mä-,

-ˈder- 

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

His signature style offers a bridge between tradition and modernity and delves into Brazil’s rich cultural heritage and spirituality. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Francis also expanded the roles of women within the institution’s hierarchy, moving the institution into some aspects of modernity. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025

On the ground floor, classic sash windows and a marble fireplace anchor the formal dining room, while a sleek stainless-steel kitchen injects a gleaming note of modernity. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for modernity

• eternity
• fraternity
• maternity
• paternity
• confraternity
• taciturnity