Standard Lemma guide

midcentury

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • CMU ARPABET: M IH0 D S EH1 N CH ER0 IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Occurring around the middle of the century. (Elliptically refers to whichever century is evident from the context of a discussion.)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, usually

Examples

  • midcentury modern
  • This midcentury masterpiece was overlooked at the time it was created.
  • This ashtray is very midcentury, but that lamp is the most midcentury thing I've seen all year.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The midpoint or middle portion of a century.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • at midcentury
  • by midcentury
  • She wrote an essay taking stock of the movement at midcentury.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *me Proto-Indo-European *dheh1-? Proto-Indo-European *-dhe Proto-Indo-European *médhi Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *médhyos Proto-Germanic *midjaz Proto-West Germanic *midi Old English midd Middle English mid English mid English mid- English century English midcentury From mid- + century.