New Age

1. adjective Related to a collection of ideas, philosophies, and belief systems that prioritize such things as spirituality, mysticism, holistic medicine, and astrology. The term was popularized in the 1980s, though the concept emerged in the 1970s. My mom embraced New Age things like alternative medicine and meditation way before they became mainstream. A: "Astral projection? What kind of New Age crap is that?" B: "It's kind of like an out-of-body experience that you can control." A: "Oh. That sounds pretty cool, actually."

2. adjective Of or relating to New Age music, a style of music characterized by soothing, dreamy tones and the use of synthesizers and acoustic instruments. Emerged alongside the New Age movement of the 1970s and '80s. Singer-songwriter Enya is among the most famous New Age musicians. I love AC/DC and Led Zeppelin as much as the next gal, but it's pretty hard to meditate to that stuff—that's where New Age music comes in.

3. noun Short for New Age music. I love that spas play New Age—it really helps me to relax.