1
: suggestive of ice: such as
a
: extremely cold : frigid
a glacial wind
b
: devoid of warmth and cordiality
a glacial handshake
c
: coldly imperturbable
maintained a glacial calm
2
: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals
glacial acetic acid
3
a(1)
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present
(2)
capitalized
: pleistocene
b
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
c
: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers
progress on the bill has been glacial
Examples of glacial in a Sentence
Progress on the bill has been glacial.
a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
Introducing another version would split up the pie further, especially considering the glacial pace at which many people upgrade.
—
Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 June 2025
Ukraine has blamed a lack of pressure on Russia for the glacial pace of progress in ceasefire talks.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Pull over at each turnout to look at the wildflowers, glacial streams and open vistas that beg for picnic bites.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2025
In 2023, a permafrost landslide caused a large glacial lake in Sikkim, India, to break its banks, causing a catastrophic deluge that killed at least 55 people.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
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Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 June 2025
Ukraine has blamed a lack of pressure on Russia for the glacial pace of progress in ceasefire talks.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Pull over at each turnout to look at the wildflowers, glacial streams and open vistas that beg for picnic bites.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2025
In 2023, a permafrost landslide caused a large glacial lake in Sikkim, India, to break its banks, causing a catastrophic deluge that killed at least 55 people.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glacial
adjective
gla·cial
ˈglā-shəl 
1
a
: extremely cold : frigid
b
: lacking warmth of feeling
2
a
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
b
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers
c
capitalized
: pleistocene
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