glacier

noun

gla·​cier ˈglā-shər 

also

-zhər 

especially British ˈgla-sē-ə

or ˈglā-sē-ə

: a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface

Examples of glacier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise freeze over in the winter, providing skaters with a wild ice rink rimmed with mountains and glaciers. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025

This steady loss signaled that the glaciers would inevitably disappear. —Evan Howell, Wired News, 30 Nov. 2025

As people flock to see the glaciers for what could possibly be the last time, the park is seeing traffic congestion, more garbage and wildlife disturbance. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Nov. 2025

These glaciers provide essential water for rivers, supplying drinking water downstream, maintaining cold-water habitats for salmon and supporting hydropower generation in the region, according to the National Park Service. —Daniel Peck, ABC News, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French dialect (Franco-Provençal), from glace ice, from Latin glacies; akin to Latin gelu frost — more at cold

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glacier

noun

gla·​cier ˈglā-shər 

: a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface