conceptual art

noun

variants often Conceptual art
: an art form in which the artist's intent is to convey a concept rather than to create an art object
conceptual artist noun
often Conceptual artist

Examples of conceptual art in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was a time when AI art was seen as a burgeoning form of conceptual art. — Ahmed Elgammal, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026 Ono and Lennon first met in 1966 when the latter took in the former’s conceptual art at a London gallery. — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 It is constructed by careful choices in materials, coloration, and subject matter to enter the realm of conceptual art. — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025 Cattelan is known for satirical pieces that challenge popular culture, often provoking debates around conceptual art. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceptual art

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conceptual art was in 1967

Rhymes for conceptual art

See All Rhymes for conceptual art

Browse Nearby Words

conceptual
conceptual art
conceptualise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conceptual art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conceptual%20art. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on conceptual art

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conceptual art

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All