metropolitan museum of art: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal in official contexts; informal in conversational reference (often shortened to 'the Met').
Quick answer
What does “metropolitan museum of art” mean?
A specific, pre-eminent art museum located on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, pre-eminent art museum located on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Often used as a quintessential example of a major, encyclopedic art museum; a cultural institution of global significance. Informally, can refer to the institution itself, its collections, or its physical location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American cultural reference. UK speakers would likely know it but have no direct equivalent; they might compare it to the British Museum or the National Gallery.
Connotations
In the US: grandeur, high culture, a 'must-see' landmark. In the UK: a famous overseas institution, associated with New York tourism.
Frequency
Virtually exclusive to American English contexts. Much less frequent in everyday UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “metropolitan museum of art” in a Sentence
[subject] visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art.The exhibition [verb] at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.We spent the afternoon [prepositional phrase] at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metropolitan museum of art” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- She has a Metropolitan Museum of Art membership card.
- It was a Metropolitan Museum of Art-quality restoration.
American English
- He bought a Metropolitan Museum of Art poster.
- It's a Metropolitan Museum of Art-style exhibition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussions of museum funding, sponsorship, or tourism impact.
Academic
Art history, museology, cultural studies references.
Everyday
Tourist plans, cultural experiences, New York City topics.
Technical
Museum conservation, curatorial practice, institutional management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metropolitan museum of art”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metropolitan museum of art”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metropolitan museum of art”
- Saying 'Metropolitan Museum' without 'of Art'.
- Using an indefinite article ('a Metropolitan Museum').
- Misspelling 'Metropolitan'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'the Met' is the common shortened name for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (Note: There is also the Metropolitan Opera, which is sometimes called 'the Met', but context usually clarifies.)
Its main building is on Fifth Avenue along the eastern edge of Central Park in New York City.
It has a recommended admission fee, but it operates on a pay-what-you-wish policy for New York State residents and students from certain states. For others, there is a set general admission fee.
It is an encyclopedic museum, meaning its permanent collection contains works ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts and classical antiquities to paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. It also has holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art.
A specific, pre-eminent art museum located on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Metropolitan museum of art is usually formal in official contexts; informal in conversational reference (often shortened to 'the met'). in register.
Metropolitan museum of art: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmet.rə.pɒl.ɪ.tən mjuːˈziː.əm əv ɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌme.trə.pɑː.lɪ.t̬ən mjuˈziː.əm əv ˈɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
METropolitan = Major, Enormous, Treasuries (of art). Located in the METropolis of New York.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TEMPLE OF CULTURE (a revered, monumental place housing treasures).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common informal name for the Metropolitan Museum of Art?