postmodern

[pohst-mod-ern]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to architecture of the late 20th century, appearing in the 1960s, that consciously uses complex forms, fantasy, and allusions to historic styles, in contrast to the austere forms and emphasis on utility of standard modern architecture.

2. extremely modern; cutting-edge.

   postmodern kids who grew up on MTV.

postmodern

/ pəʊstˈmɒdən /

adjective

1. (in the arts, architecture, etc) characteristic of a style and school of thought that rejects the dogma and practices of any form of modernism; in architecture, contrasting with international modernism and featuring elements from several periods, esp the Classical, often with ironic use of decoration

Other Word Forms

• postmodernist noun
• postmodernism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of postmodern¹

First recorded in 1945–50; post- + modern

Example Sentences

Unlike Ari Aster’s “Eddington,” which spent far too much time telling the viewer exactly what they already knew about our postmodern psychosis, Anderson grapples with not just what humanity is, but what it can become.

From Salon

Redford wasn’t yet a movie star, but director George Roy Hill’s postmodern western made him one.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a twisted, postmodern “Canterbury Tales”-like quality to these proceedings: Like medieval pilgrims, its central characters are each on a journey they hope will change their lives.

From Los Angeles Times

But “Until Dawn” is also influenced by postmodern, self-referential stuff like “The Cabin in the Woods” and “Happy Death Day” that play with form and expectations.

From Los Angeles Times

As for the posts, they tend to be memes so swirled with sincerity and irony that they border on postmodern.

From Los Angeles Times