glacier

noun

gla·​cier ˈglā-shər 

also

-zhər 

especially British ˈgla-sē-ə

or ˈglā-sē-ə

: a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface

Examples of glacier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rock glaciers will not replace the glaciers and snowfields that are disappearing. — Ashlesha Khatiwada, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

As its name suggests, Glacier National Park’s rugged mountains and sheer cliffs are crowned by glaciers that are rapidly waning due to global warming. — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026

Past topics have included the science of attraction, the secret lives of Sacramento’s plants and animals, and the mystery and magic of glaciers. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Iceland’s Ring Road is a natural fit for an EV road trip, circling the island for about 820 miles past waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, lava fields, fjords and fishing towns. — Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French dialect (Franco-Provençal), from glace ice, from Latin glacies; akin to Latin gelu frost — more at cold

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glacier

noun

gla·​cier ˈglā-shər 

: a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface