brass

1 of 2

noun

ˈbras 

1

: an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions

2

a

: the brass instruments of an orchestra or band

—often used in plural

b

: a usually brass memorial tablet

c

: bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments

d

: empty cartridge shells

3

: brazen self-assurance : gall

4

singular or plural in construction

a

: high-ranking members of the military

b

: persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)

brass

2 of 2

adjective

1

: made of brass

a brass cannon

see also brass ring, brass tacks

2

: made up of or composed for brass musical instruments

the band's brass section

see also brass band

Synonyms of brass

Noun

• nerve
• gall
• arrogance

Examples of brass in a Sentence

Noun

a candlestick made of brass

The whole orchestra—the strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass—began to play.

The brasses began to play.

polishing the brass and the silver

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Raring to go, all the top military brass, including the agitated Eisenhower and his supercilious British counterpart General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), act as though the rational, needfully single-minded man of science has personally betrayed the mission. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 May 2026

No one wanted to stand behind the commanding warriors, draped in blankets and furs, brass hoops in their earlobes, medals and wampum on their strong chests, silver armbands glinting in the light. —Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

City leaders and Los Angeles Police Department brass will be on hand this week with family members of some of the 241 officers who died in the line of duty for an annual memorial ceremony featuring a rifle volley, a volunteer choir and a helicopter flyover. —City News Service, Daily News, 26 May 2026

The rooms Rooms are decorated in a cool, muted Pacific Northwest palette—soft shades, brass accents, and heavy drapes that cut the light just right. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bras, from Old English bræs; akin to Middle Low German bras metal

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brass

• (as) bold as brass
• brass band
• brass collar Democrat
• brass hat
• brass instrument
• brass knuckles
• brass ring
• brass section
• brass tacks
• get down to brass tacks
• go for the brass ring
• grab the brass ring
• the brass ring
• top brass

Rhymes for brass

• ass
• bass
• bras
• casse
• chasse
• class
• crass
• das
• dass
• frass
• gas
• lass

Kids Definition

brass

noun

ˈbras 

1

: an alloy containing copper and zinc

2

: the reddish yellow color of brass

3

: the brass instruments of a band or orchestra

—often used in plural

4

: bright metal ornaments, fixtures, or utensils

5

: bold self-assurance : gall

6

: high-ranking officers especially in the armed forces

brass adjective