What does postmodernism mean?
Postmodernism is a broad intellectual and cultural movement that challenges the idea that universal truths, stable meanings, or a single coherent account can adequately describe human experience. It developed especially in twentieth-century philosophy, literature, the arts, architecture, and social theory, often emphasizing fragmentation, irony, pluralism, intertextuality, and the relationship between power and knowledge. Writers and artists associated with postmodernism frequently combine historical styles, popular culture, parody, and self-reference, questioning conventions of authorship and representation. The term is also used more loosely for a cultural condition characterized by skepticism toward grand narratives, though postmodernity may be preferable when referring to that broader condition. Postmodernism does not describe one uniform doctrine: its thinkers and practitioners have differed considerably. Nonetheless, the word remains useful for discussing how language, culture, power, and truth are constructed rather than simply discovered.
nounPostmodernism is an intellectual and cultural movement or outlook that questions universal or foundational narratives, often emphasizing fragmentation, pluralism, irony, and the instability of meaning. In the arts and architecture, it commonly describes a movement characterized by eclecticism, pastiche, self-reference, and the use of historical or popular imagery.
- An intellectual and cultural movement that challenges grand narratives, universal truths, and the idea that meaning is entirely stable.
- A style of thought, art, literature, or criticism marked by irony, fragmentation, self-reference, eclecticism, and the blending of high and popular culture.
- In architecture and design, a movement that revived decorative historical references and rejected the austerity of modernist functionalism.
"The novel uses postmodernism to question the possibility of a single, authoritative account of history."
"Her lecture on postmodernism examined how contemporary fiction mixes genres and undermines the reader's expectations."
"The building's postmodernism is evident in its playful mixture of classical motifs, bold colors, and contemporary materials."
The plural is uncommon and is used mainly when referring to distinct postmodern movements or theoretical approaches.
"The book compares the postmodernisms associated with different generations of artists."
Postmodernism turned doubt into a creative method: no single story had to tell the whole truth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postmodernism come from?
Postmodernism combines the Latin prefix post-, meaning “after,” with modern, from Latin modernus, meaning “recent” or “present,” and the suffix -ism, which derives from Greek and commonly denotes a doctrine, condition, or movement. The term developed in English during the twentieth century and became especially influential in architecture, literary theory, philosophy, and the arts. Its related vocabulary includes modernism, modernity, and postmodernity.
Related word forms
How postmodernism is actually used
The term is chiefly used in academic, artistic, and cultural contexts. It can be neutral when describing a historical movement or critical approach, but it may sound dismissive when used to label work as superficial, chaotic, or excessively self-conscious.
Easily confused with postmodernism
Postmodernism usually names an intellectual or artistic movement, whereas postmodernity refers more broadly to the social and cultural condition associated with it.