modern dance

American  

noun

1. a form of contemporary theatrical and concert dance employing a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.

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modern dance British  

noun

1. a style of free and expressive theatrical dancing not bound by the classical rules of ballet

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Etymology

Origin of modern dance

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

She put a lot of modern dance into the classical ballet.

From Los Angeles Times

We’ve now had a century of modern dance, led by the likes of Merce Cunningham, George Balanchine and many others whose modernism delved into the very essence of the body’s ability to express the ineffable.

From Los Angeles Times

At any rate, Elisabeth’s behavior during the proceedings is highly abnormal and unusual, from an uncontrollable laughing fit to an almost fantastical modern dance she performs in a hallway.

From Los Angeles Times

As dance historians well know but our town has well forgotten, modern dance began in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

“When I got to college to study modern dance and ballet, I saw that I had a voice outside of those forms,” Zollar said.

From New York Times