period piece

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noun

something, as a novel, painting, or building, of interest or value primarily because it evokes or epitomizes a particular period of history.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of period piece

First recorded in 1925–30

Words nearby period piece

periodontist, periodontitis, periodontium, periodontology, periodontosis, period piece, Perioeci, perionychia, perionychium, periosteum, periostitis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use period piece in a sentence

Spielberg and Kushner’s adaptation, which remains a period piece, ironically feels much more relevant to contemporary America than van Hove’s modern-day staging did.
Why the new West Side Story works — and one thing that doesn’t|Constance Grady|December 10, 2021|Vox
It’s the second consecutive TV project that Byrne has been a part of that is a period piece tackling feminist issues.
Rose Byrne on Unleashing Her Meanest Streak Yet in ‘Physical’: ‘It’s Deeply Uncomfortable’|Kevin Fallon|June 17, 2021|The Daily Beast
Second, I love period pieces, especially period pieces set in 20th century America that dig into issues with privilege and power imbalances.
One Good Thing: For All Mankind explores a world where humans lived on the moon — in the 1970s|Emily VanDerWerff|March 19, 2021|Vox
If you love period pieces and can handle a higher price, maybe turn to a more curated consignment shop instead of buying up the more affordable options.
Thrift shopping is an environmental and ethical trap|Sara Kiley Watson|February 26, 2021|Popular-Science

Back when she was in drama school, Michaela Coel grew tired of acting in the same-old period pieces.
Michaela Coel on her genre-spanning career and how ‘I May Destroy You’ became a comedy|Brett Haensel|October 13, 2020|Fortune
And there was an opportunity, I felt, to play with what we traditionally think a period piece should feel like.
The Director Isn’t Done Yet: An Interview With Steven Soderbergh|Andrew Romano|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At night, hit Durango's many brewpubs and sleep at the Historic Strater Hotel, an antiques-filled period piece.
The U.S. Road Trips You Should Really Take|Lonely Planet|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of the fun things about Surviving Jack is that the '90s is now like a period piece.
‘Surviving Jack’ Star Rachael Harris Is No Longer ‘The Bitch'|Kevin Fallon|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But then Weisberg had a clever idea: why not create a period piece?
Why ‘The Americans’ Is the Best Spy Show on TV|Andrew Romano|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, the charming period piece received a 10-minute standing ovation at its debut screening at Cannes last year.
‘The Sapphires’: Tony Briggs and His Mum on Racism in Australia, Music & More|Jean Trinh|March 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for period piece

period piece

noun

an object, a piece of music, a play, etc, valued for its quality of evoking a particular historical period: often one regarded as of little except historical interest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012