modern-rock
UK[ˈmɒd.ən rɒk]US[ˈmɑː.dɚn rɑːk]
n
A subgenre of rock music that incorporates contemporary production techniques, sounds, and influences, often distinguished from classic rock.
n
Rock music that is current or from a relatively recent period.
Morpheme Breakdown
modern
rock
modern
recent
rock
music genre
Etymology
The compound term "modern-rock" is a straightforward combination of two English words to create a specific musical category. "Modern" originates from the Latin modernus, meaning "of the present time," derived from modo ("just now"). "Rock," as shorthand for rock and roll music, emerged in the mid-20th century. The fusion of these terms in the late 20th century served to distinguish contemporary, evolving iterations of rock music from its earlier, foundational forms, effectively creating a temporal and stylistic subgenre label within popular culture.
Analysis
Structure: modern (recent) + rock (music genre)
modern: From Latin modernus ("just now, of present time"), from modo ("just now"). Functional role: Adjective used attributively to specify a type.
rock: Shortened from "rock and roll," a term for a genre of popular music. Functional role: Noun denoting the core musical genre.
Examples
The radio station specializes in playing modern-rock from the last two decades.
Her band's sound is a blend of electronic elements and modern-rock.
The festival lineup features both classic and modern-rock acts.