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)
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
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
Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
The door panels feature mother-of-pearl surfaces that surround brass door handles painted in a silver-gold hue.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, from elite military unit CAPSAT, announced the army was in control of the African island nation and would establish a committee composed of army and police brass to govern.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
The bathrooms have toilets with heated seats, brass fixtures, walk-in rain showers, and Aveda bath products.
—Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
In traditional steakhouse fashion, interiors will feature rich dark woods, brass metal accents and a monochromatic palette.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
The door panels feature mother-of-pearl surfaces that surround brass door handles painted in a silver-gold hue.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, from elite military unit CAPSAT, announced the army was in control of the African island nation and would establish a committee composed of army and police brass to govern.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
The bathrooms have toilets with heated seats, brass fixtures, walk-in rain showers, and Aveda bath products.
—Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
Cite this Entry
“Brass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brass. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brass
noun1
: 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
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