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
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Defenders have accused city officials of manipulating the numbers; a Washington, D.C., police commander was suspended last month after accusing MPD Chief Pamela Smith and other top department brass of falsely manipulating crime statistics.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
In past times, a pricey, marquee superhero pic earning $600 million would have left unhappy studio brass wanting much more, but times have changed.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
Metals: Hoop earrings are available in a wide range of metals, including solid and hollow varieties of yellow, white, and rose gold, as well as silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and brass.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
This was done at the Chateau Marmont, in the room where the first draft of Rebel Without a Cause was read aloud for Warner Bros brass back in the day.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
Defenders have accused city officials of manipulating the numbers; a Washington, D.C., police commander was suspended last month after accusing MPD Chief Pamela Smith and other top department brass of falsely manipulating crime statistics.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2025
In past times, a pricey, marquee superhero pic earning $600 million would have left unhappy studio brass wanting much more, but times have changed.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2025
Metals: Hoop earrings are available in a wide range of metals, including solid and hollow varieties of yellow, white, and rose gold, as well as silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, and brass.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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