postmodernism

American  

[pohst-mod-er-niz-uhm] / poʊstˈmɒd ərˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) any of a number of trends or movements in the arts and literature developing in the 1970s in reaction to or rejection of the dogma, principles, or practices of established modernism, especially a movement in architecture and the decorative arts running counter to the practice and influence of the International Style and encouraging the use of elements from historical vernacular styles and often playful illusion, decoration, and complexity.

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postmodernism Cultural  

1. A movement, particularly in architecture, that reacted against the pared-down modern school by reintroducing classical and traditional elements of style. An example of this style is Philip Johnson's AT&T Building in New York City.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• postmodernist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of postmodernism

First recorded in 1970–75; post- + modernism

Example Sentences

Still looking for direction after the breakdown of the Modern movement and the repeated false starts of a historically minded Postmodernism, the profession badly needed a boost.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Postmodernism departs from this way of thinking in rejecting these ideas and contending that there exists no one reality that we can be certain of and no absolute truth.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Postmodernism in food can resonate with younger people — it’s practically a requirement at Smorgasburg — but Uncle Lou is that rare new restaurant that isn’t run by or primarily meant for younger people.

From New York Times • Mar. 29, 2022

Postmodernism has often been coupled with progressive, anti-authoritarian critiques of imperialism, capitalism, racism and sexism.

From Scientific American • Mar. 23, 2019

Postmodernism was sweeping the academy, its valuable insights quickly degrading into naïve relativism.

From Slate • Oct. 23, 2013