brass

noun \ ˈbras \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of brass

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)

See brass defined for English-language learners

See brass defined for kids

Examples of brass in a Sentence

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 of brass from the Web

But what actually transpired in Syria during the early morning darkness seemed closer to the careful strategy advocated by his military brass.

— kevin liptak, CNN, "Trump pushes ahead with Syria strikes amid broader tumult," 13 Apr. 2018
So on top of everything else, the FBI is now also looking at all correspondence Cohen and top brass at both AMI and the Enquirer.

— luke darby, GQ, "Trump's Lawyer Appears to Have Been Sitting on All Sorts of Sleaziness," 12 Apr. 2018
Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and top NYPD brass defended the policy’s role in fighting crime and noted that officers were required to fill out a form for each stop as an accountability measure.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "What London Can Learn From New York About Crime," 3 Apr. 2018
But there’s a higher bar to prosecuting a sitting member of Congress, which typically requires authorization from top Justice Department brass in Washington.

— andrew seidman, Philly.com, "The FBI says Bob Brady and Marjorie Margolies conspired to violate election laws. Why weren't they charged?," 30 Mar. 2018
Unlike Mr Chaudhry, Mr Nisar has avoided topics the army would rather not discuss, such as unexplained disappearances of those who annoy the top brass.

— The Economist, "Pakistan’s top court is eager to take on any brief," 28 Mar. 2018
Following the critical and financial disappointment of Justice League, Warner Bros. made changes in its top brass in charge of DC’s film slate.

— richard newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Ava DuVernay's 'New Gods' Says About DC," 16 Mar. 2018
Bank proxy: Wells Fargo this week is expected to release its annual proxy statement, which will detail how much the San Francisco finance giant paid to its top brass in 2017.

— david lazarus, latimes.com, "California Inc.: Heads up, investors, it's the season of the witch," 12 Mar. 2018
Despite paying out record claims related to hurricanes, wildfires and other storms last year, USAA handsomely rewarded its top brass. CEO and President Stuart Parker received $4 million in compensation from five USAA insurance companies last year.

— patrick danner, San Antonio Express-News, "USAA CEO Parker sees big pay boost for 2017," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of brass

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

brass Synonyms

Synonyms

audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa), crust, effrontery, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity;

Near Antonyms

bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness;

civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners;

discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness;

back talk, sass;

swagger, swash;

brass

adjective

Definition of brass

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

First Known Use of brass

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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BRASS Defined for Kids

brass

noun \ ˈbras \

Definition of brass for Students

1 : an alloy made by combining copper and zinc

2 : the musical instruments of an orchestra or band that are usually made of brass and include the cornets, trumpets, trombones, French horns, and tubas