Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - modern

~ adj 1 only before noun time belonging to the present time or most recent time  (a book about modern history | Traditional treatments, once shunned by modern medicine, are now being examined scientifically. | The original supermarkets were small by modern standards.) 2 made or done using the most recent methods; up­to­date  (Their offices are in a modern 25-storey skyscraper. | modern surgical techniques) 3 using or willing to use very recent ideas, fashions, or ways of thinking  (The school is very modern in its approach to sex education.) 4 only before noun modern art, music, literature etc uses styles that have been recently developed and are very different from traditional styles  (Modern dance looks more spontaneous than traditional ballet.) 5 Modern Greek/Hebrew/English the form of the Greek etc language that is used today  (- see also secondary modern)