classicism
noun
clas·si·cism
| \ ˈkla-sə-ˌsi-zəm
\
\
Definition of classicism
1a
: the principles or style embodied in the literature, art, or architecture of ancient Greece and Rome
b
: classical scholarship
c
: a classical idiom or expression
2
: adherence to traditional standards (as of simplicity, restraint, and proportion) that are universally and enduringly valid
Examples of classicism in a Sentence
a return to classicism in modern architecture
the classicism of the building
Recent Examples on the Web
The two records come at rock classicism from very different angles. — Mark Richardson, WSJ, "‘Help Us Stranger’ by the Raconteurs and ‘Let’s Rock’ by the Black Keys Reviews: Two Takes on Rock Classicism," 19 June 2019 The work links classicism with modernity and silently lords over the dining room with grace and gravitas. — Michele Parente, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Il Dandy’s Michelin-starred chefs take Italian to new heights — but is it high enough?," 4 July 2019 Sure, Grace Kelly’s gowns or Audrey Hepburn’s pearls may inspire viewers to elegance, but can all that classicism compete with John Travolta in a loin cloth? — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "The 20 Campiest Movie Costumes of All Time," 23 Apr. 2019 Delvaux stands for a certain classicism and chicness, and historically was quite a bourgeois house. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Delvaux, Bastion of Belgian Chic, is Collaborating With The Legendary Renegade Parisian Designer Jean Colonna," 29 Mar. 2019 This leading period-instrument orchestra delivers classicism in all its glory in this concert, which includes two of Mozart’s finest piano concertos led and played by the fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout — the No. — David Allen, New York Times, "5 Classical Music Concerts to See in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 17 May 2018 Meanwhile, Amal Clooney opted for refined classicism in J. Mendel’s neo-Grecian micro plissé dress, and Saoirse Ronan (in Gucci) and Laura Harrier (in Marc Jacobs) proved the power of the über ruffle at night. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "10 Best Dressed: Week of December 10, 2018," 10 Dec. 2018 To compliment this mix of classicism and futurism, Peter Philips, the new creative and image director of Dior Makeup, kept the beauty look minimal—with the exception of the eye. — Meg Storm, Town & Country, "The Dior Couture Eyeliner Stickers Have Arrived," 1 Dec. 2014 From Paris to the World Denver Art Museum Through March 3, 2019 Femininity cosseted in classicism, ardently cultured; marketing and licensing newly and aggressively global—in Dior’s hands the couture house was suddenly an expression of empire. — WSJ, "‘Dior: From Paris to the World’ Review: Timelessly Elegant, Yet Avant-Garde," 27 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'classicism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for classicism
classicism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of classicism
formal
: the ideas and styles that are common in the literature, art, and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome
: a traditional style of art, literature, music, architecture, etc., that is usually graceful and simple with parts that are organized in a pleasing way
See the full definition for classicism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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