state of the art

noun

1. the latest and most sophisticated or advanced stage of a technology, art, or science.

state of the art

noun

1. the level of knowledge and development achieved in a technique, science, etc, esp at present

adjective

1. the most recent and therefore considered the best; up-to-the-minute

   a state-of-the-art amplifier

Other Words From

• state-of-the-art adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of state of the art¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Idioms and Phrases

The highest level of development, very up-to-date, as in This new television set reflects the state of the art in screen technology . Despite including the word art , this term originated in technology, and its first recorded use appears in a 1910 book on the gas turbine. Today it is often used adjectivally, as in This is a state-of-the-art camera , and sometimes very loosely, as in That movie is state-of-the-art Woody Allen .

Example Sentences

The Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.

From The Daily Beast

So if this weekend sees you outside whirring with your state-of-the-art metal detector, happy hunting.

From The Daily Beast

This is all really just an advanced version of the state-of-the-art of right now.

From The Daily Beast

They are loaded with state-of-the art sonar and radar equipment.

From The Daily Beast

Seventy percent of those forces will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

From The Daily Beast