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midcentury modern

American  
[mid-sen-chuh-ree mod-ern] / ˈmɪdˈsɛn tʃə ri ˈmɒd ərn /
Or mid-century modern

noun

  1. a style of architecture, furniture, home decor, etc., that peaked in the middle of the 20th century, characterized by simple, sleek lines and minimal ornamentation: MCM

    a midcentury modern Eames lounge chair.


Etymology

Origin of midcentury modern

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“At the same time as architectural homes are being marketed as high-end, collectible art, others are being torn down to build new,” midcentury modern architecture expert Adriene Biondo said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

It was also a big move away from the midcentury modern aesthetic that Harbour enjoyed in his first home—a one-bedroom loft inside a former wagon factory in New York’s trendy NoHo neighborhood.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

He’s living in a delightfully ’70s midcentury modern house in Colts Neck, NJ, on the edge of a reservoir.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2025

Bri Westby, who lives in the Lakeridge neighborhood, collects midcentury modern Christmas, tiki and kitchen décor, rotating each seasonally.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2024

Los Angeles’ most Instagrammable chapel, a midcentury modern structure with redwoods, an ocean view and a long history as a popular wedding venue, has closed indefinitely.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2024

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