performance art

noun

: a nontraditional art form often with political or topical themes that typically features a live presentation to an audience or onlookers (as on a street) and draws on such arts as acting, poetry, music, dance, or painting
performance artist noun

Examples of performance art in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The innovative improvisational metal trio Puscifer, which also has performance art elements, was founded by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 Marina Abramović depended on audience participation for her performance art. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 After attending the University of Texas at Austin, Jones got more involved in the performance arts, eventually landing multiple TV guest roles in the '80s and '90s. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 America during the 1960s reeled from the Civil Rights movement, anti-Vietnam War protests and other political and social upheaval — and protest art took different forms, like performance art, even puppets. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for performance art

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of performance art was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Performance art.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/performance%20art. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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