Contemporary

Contemporary is an adjective meaning belonging to, occurring in, or happening in the present time. It can also be used as a noun to refer to a person who lives at the same time as another. The term derives from Latin contemporarius, from con- “together” and tempus “time”.

In culture and the arts, contemporary usually designates works produced in the present era, especially since the mid-20th century. The label is relative: what is contemporary today may be considered historic later. Contemporary art, literature, theater, and music often emphasize diversity, global perspectives, and experimentation with media and form.

In history and social sciences, contemporary history covers events in the recent past, broadly from the 20th century to the present. Discussions of contemporary society deal with current institutions, technologies, and social issues, such as globalization, urbanization, and digital culture.

Contemporary is frequently contrasted with modern, though the boundary is not fixed. Modern can refer to a particular historical period or to a stylistic ethos, whereas contemporary stresses current time and living memory. In everyday usage, contemporary simply means present or current.

Examples of usage include contemporary English, contemporary architecture, and contemporary art. The term is common in journalism, academia, and cultural criticism.