brass

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)

Synonyms of brass

• nerve
• gall
• arrogance

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 on the Web

An elk’s bugle is a singular sound, beginning with the high notes of a brass horn and finishing with a low roar. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Curry granted the young man a preliminary injunction that prevents NCAA brass from punishing Sorsby for violating — again, repeatedly — its rules on sports betting. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 June 2026

The interior is dark and moody with green leather booths, brass shelving and dark wood. —Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 6 June 2026

Gray and White With Brass Accents Bring in a pop of brass to warm up a white and gray kitchen palette. —Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th 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