sash

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsash 

: a band worn about the waist or over one shoulder and used as a dress accessory or the emblem of an honorary or military order

sashed

ˈsasht 

adjective

sash

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural sash also sashes

: the framework in which panes of glass are set in a window or door

also : such a framework together with its panes forming a usually movable part of a window

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• belt
• ceinture
• cincture
• cummerbund
• cumberbund
• girdle
• self-belt

Examples of sash in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a dress with a flowered silk sash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clutching a sash and crown next to a friend in paper wings, Maliyah Heaven Espinoza was rushing down Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday morning. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024

To outsiders, the ribbons might look like scout badges or sashes from a secret society — swag from a party they weren’t invited to. —Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Sign up Geishas wear a kimono and the way their obi (sash) is tied signals their status. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 1 Mar. 2024

Young men and women in graduation gowns and sashes walked past us on the way to pose for photos elsewhere. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by dissimilation from earlier shash, borrowed from Arabic shāsh "muslin"

Noun (2)

probably by dissimilation from synonymous shash, back-formation from shashes (taken as plural), apparently variant of chasses (attested later), borrowed from French châssis "frame holding window glass" — more at chassis

Note: Any sorting of the derivational succession must be speculative, because shashes, sashes and sash window are all attested within a few years of each other, and chasses, chassis—more closely approximating French—a decade later. It is likely that these words circulated for a considerable time before they found their way into print in the 1680's and '90's.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1678, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sash

• sash window

Kids Definition

sash

1 of 2 noun

ˈsash 

: a broad band (as of silk) worn around the waist or over the shoulder

sash

2 of 2 noun

plural sash also sashes

1

: the frame in which panes of glass are set in a window or door

2

: the movable part of a window