International Style

noun

1
: a style in European art of the 14th and early 15th centuries marked by sinuous line, rich color, and decorative surface detail
2
: a style in architecture developed in the 1920s that uses modern materials (such as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete), expresses structure directly, and eliminates nonstructural ornament

Examples of International Style in a Sentence

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In that conventional view, the International Style (a term MoMA introduced in 1932) proliferated as an instrument of the Cold War, adjusting to local preferences but always faithful to its Franco-German origins. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 Olsen, who trained under Walter Gropius at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, was inspired by European International Style Modernism, and drew on the likes of Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe for his designs. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 Ultimately, the Studies Building came to be composed in the International Style out of concrete, stone, wood and transite, a fireproof composite material. — News Desk, Artforum, 7 July 2026 While the pavilionlike design pays homage to International Style, the simple, unpretentious finishes recall the beach houses of yore. — Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for International Style

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of International Style was in 1911

Rhymes for International Style

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Browse Nearby Words

international stock
International Style
International System of Units
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Cite this Entry

“International Style.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/International%20Style. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on International Style

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about International Style

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