masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈma-stər-ˌpēs How to pronounce masterpiece (audio)
1
: a work done with extraordinary skill
especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement
2
: a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master

Examples of masterpiece in a Sentence

The painting was immediately recognized as a masterpiece. Herman Melville's masterpiece was Moby-Dick. Her study of apes is a masterpiece.
Recent Examples on the Web Birth, a wintry little masterpiece, showcases what could well be her richest performance. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024 Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit $18 This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 During lockdown, many Black women discovered they were gifted with our ancestors’ ability to turn coils into braided masterpieces. Annie Blay, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 Yet the automaker’s 33-year-old founder, Mate Rimac, intended his masterpiece to be a highly usable, no-fuss grand tourer. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Critics have widely celebrated the movie, calling it a visual masterpiece with layers of storytelling. Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Stories and columns in the entry, by Gregorian, McDowell, Newell and Kerkhoff, included: Why Super Bowl victory over Eagles was Andy Reid’s masterpiece and cements his legacy Patrick Mahomes’ halftime speech changed it all. Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Both of those films were based on masterpieces of French literature: The first was adapted from a novel by the brilliant but short-lived author Raymond Radiguet; the second from two short stories by Guy de Maupassant. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 In this exclusive series, Billboard Arabia showcases intimate performances blending the raw authenticity of studio sessions with a vibrant set design, transforming music into an audio-visual masterpiece. Hala Mustafa, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'masterpiece.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of masterpiece was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near masterpiece

Cite this Entry

“Masterpiece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masterpiece. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

masterpiece

noun
mas·​ter·​piece ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs How to pronounce masterpiece (audio)
: a work done with great skill
especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement

More from Merriam-Webster on masterpiece

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