glass

1 of 2

noun

ˈglas How to pronounce glass (audio)
ˈgläs
often attributive
1
: any of various amorphous materials formed from a melt by cooling to rigidity without crystallization: such as
a
: a usually transparent or translucent material consisting typically of a mixture of silicates
b
: a material (such as obsidian) produced by fast cooling of magma
2
a
: something made of glass: such as
(1)
: tumbler
also : glassware
(2)
: mirror
(3)
(4)
b(1)
: an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen
(2)
: field glasses, binoculars
usually used in plural
c
glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

called also eyeglasses, spectacles

3
: the quantity held by a glass container
4
5
: crystal meth
specifically : a pure form of crystal meth
glassful noun
glassless adjective

glass

2 of 2

verb

glassed; glassing; glasses

transitive verb

1
a
: to provide with glass : glaze sense 1
b
: to enclose, case, or wall with glass
the sunroom was glassed in
2
: to make glassy
3
a
b
: to see mirrored
4
: to look at through an optical instrument (such as a pair of binoculars)

Examples of glass in a Sentence

Noun The waiter filled our glasses with water. She drank two glasses of water. She was wearing dark glasses with thick black frames.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Press the crumbs into the bottom and all the way up the sides of the pan, using a measuring cup or flat-bottomed glass to create an even layer. Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Vintage blue vases and glasses are often easy to find at most thrift or antique stores. Kit Selzer, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2024 The building, featuring a striking glass facade with curved edges and soft lines, was collaboratively designed by the award-winning architecture firm Arquitectonica and the global design firm Rockwell Group. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2024 After a long day attending red carpet events, Culkin revealed that their nighttime routine involves some skincare for Song and a glass of wine for himself. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 The line’s Cheers! package includes those, plus spirits, beer and wine by the glass priced at $20 or less, specialty coffee and more (guests can order only one drink at a time and are limited to 15 alcoholic drinks in 24 hours). Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Eclipse viewers will receive free glasses while supplies last, according to the department. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 The previous home to Big Stump Brewing Co. currently features 12 beers on tap at $6.50 per glass, with sizes ranging from 12 to 16 ounces (a pint), depending on the brew’s strength. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Add a fresh sprig of basil for every 2 servings, then add half a glass of water and cook for at least 30 minutes. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
So take a day or two off from hunting, drive around, and glass these food sources to find out which ones the deer are really hammering. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 The Pirates prefer to glass the offensive glass and score off turnovers, similar to the Longhorns. Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Mar. 2023 Kentuckians collect the Kentucky Derby glasses their mint juleps are served in at Churchill Downs and carry them home in stacks. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2023 The former traffic cop pushes her tortoiseshell glasses up her nose and surveys her class of property managers and landlords, who have so far failed to match her pep at 9 in the morning. Jack Ross, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023 Our fingers take a little while to get used to glass. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2017 Climate activists in Austria on Tuesday attacked a famous painting by artist Gustav Klimt with a black, oily liquid and one then glued himself to glass protecting the painting’s frame. Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2022 As businesses switch from plastic containers to glass to meet their sustainable packaging goals, competition for bottles is intensifying. Carol Ryan, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 In 1825, the Boston Sandwich Glass Company relocated to Cape Cod because the sand lends itself nicely to glass blowing. Lea Lane, Forbes, 6 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English glas, from Old English glæs; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of glass was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near glass

Cite this Entry

“Glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glass. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

glass

1 of 2 noun
1
: a hard brittle usually transparent substance commonly formed by melting a mixture of sand and chemicals and cooling to hardness
2
a
: something (as a water tumbler, lens, mirror, barometer, or telescope) that is made of glass or has a glass lens
b
plural : a pair of glass or plastic lenses held in a frame and used to help one see clearly or to protect the eyes
3
: the quantity held by a glass
glassful noun

glass

2 of 2 verb
: to fit or protect with glass

Medical Definition

glass

noun
often attributive
1
a
: an amorphous inorganic usually transparent or translucent substance consisting of a mixture of silicates or sometimes borates or phosphates formed by fusion of silica or of oxides of boron or phosphorus with a flux and a stabilizer into a mass that cools to a rigid condition without crystallization
b
: a substance resembling glass especially in hardness and transparency
organic glasses made from plastics
2
a
: an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen
b
glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

called also eyeglasses

Biographical Definition

Glass 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Carter 1858–1946 American statesman

Glass

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Philip 1937–     American composer

More from Merriam-Webster on glass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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