• (RP) IPA: /ˈmɒd(ə)n/
• (GA) enPR: mŏdʹərn, IPA: /ˈmɑdɚn/

modern (comparative moderner, superlative modernest)

1. Pertaining to a current or recent time and style; not ancient.

   Our online interactive game is a modern approach to teaching about gum disease.  Although it was built in the 1600s, the building still has a very modern look.

   • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], OCLC 752825175 ↗:

     But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window […].

   • 2018, Timothy Snyder, "How Did the Nazis Gain Power in Germany?", The New York Times, June 14, 2018

     In fact, he had created the conditions for the great horror of modern times.

2. (history) Pertaining to the modern period (c.1800 to contemporary times), particularly in academic historiography.

• (pertaining to current or recent time) contemporary, current; see also Thesaurus:present

• (pertaining to current or recent time) ancient, dated, former, historical, old, old-fashioned
• (pertaining to the modern period) premodern

• moderne
• Modernisme
• modernus

• French: moderne
• German: modern
• Italian: moderno
• Portuguese: moderno
• Russian: совреме́нный
• Spanish: moderno

• Russian: совреме́нный

modern (plural moderns)

1. Someone who lives in modern times.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify ), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292 ↗:

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     The only supernatural agents which can in any manner be allowed to us moderns, are ghosts; but of these I would advise an author to be extremely sparing.

   • 1779, Edward Capell, John Collins, Notes and various readings to Shakespeare

     What the moderns could mean by their suppression of the final couplet's repeatings, cannot be conceiv'd […]

   • 1930, G. K. Chesterton, The Resurrection of Rome

     They at least had the immense and mighty imagination of which I speak; they could unthink the past. They could uncreate the Fall. With a reverence which moderns might think impudence, they could uncreate the Creation.

   • 1956, John Albert Wilson, The Culture of Ancient Egypt (page 144)

     Even though we moderns can never crawl inside the skin of the ancient and think and feel as he did […] we must as historians make the attempt.