1. The study, or philosophy, of beauty: Shannon enrolled in the university program for aesthetics, planning to become an art critic.
2. The study of what is considered beautiful, harmonious, and cultured: Nathaniel, the theater critic, commented on the aesthetics of the play, noting the balance and harmonious nature of the characters.
3. The way something looks, especially when considered in terms of how pleasing it is: The towers of the town had an aesthetics about them that was charming and pleasing.
4. A guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste; artistic sensibility: Because Jason aspired to be an artist, he enrolled in a course on esthetics to enhance his knowledge and understanding of beauty.

A sub-discipline of empirical aesthetics which takes a scientific approach to the study of aesthetic perceptions of art and music.

Neuroesthetics is defined as the scientific study of the neural bases for the contemplation and creation of a work of art and uses the techniques of neuroscience in order to explain and understand the aesthetic experiences at the neurological level.

The topic attracts scholars from many disciplines including neuroscientists, art historians, artists, and psychologists.