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Definitions

state of the art

NOUN
most advanced level
Synonyms
WEAK
highest development modernity modernization updating
state-of-the-art
NOUN
most advanced level
Synonyms
WEAK
highest development modernity modernization updating
ADJECTIVE
pertaining to highest level of development at time
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advanced brand-new modern new newfangled ultramodern up-to-date
WEAK
all the rage au courant avant-garde contemporary cutting-edge fashionable forefront in latest leading-edge modernistic most recent newest red-hot stylish trendsetting trendy up-to-the-minute
Antonyms
STRONGEST
old old-fashioned out-of-date outdated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The initial stages of the Terafab project will cost tens of billions of dollars and focus on so-called two-nanometer nodes, which represent the state of the art in semiconductor design and manufacturing.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Researchers meanwhile have prioritized state of the art technology that could lead to artificial general intelligence, or AGI, but don’t do as much to improve the basic chatbot experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

But the recordings he made were not state of the art, even in their own time.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025

Dr Sam Godfrey, science engagement lead at Cancer Research UK, described Nanoknife as a state of the art, experimental treatment.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2024

It was not a very demanding task, but by ancient standards it was the state of the art.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife