- the level of knowledge and development achieved in a technique, science, etc, esp at present
- the most recent and therefore considered the best; up-to-the-minute: a state-of-the-art amplifier
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈstate of the ˈart, n. [uncountable;
usually: the + ~]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026usually: the + ~]
- the latest stage of a technology, art, or science:a camera considered (the) state of the art in design.
state′ of the art′,
state′-of-the-art′, adj.
- the latest and most sophisticated or advanced stage of a technology, art, or science.
- 1960–65
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
state of the art n state-of-the-art (prenominal)