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

Authorities said the flooding was caused by the collapse of a glacier. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Satellites look back at Earth, studying its changing landforms, migrating wildlife, diminishing glaciers and natural disasters. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Past changes have pushed the glacier into a retreat that may be difficult to reverse, while new modeling suggests scientists may have underestimated how warm seawater reaches beneath it. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

This included landings on untouched white sand beaches, in the shadow of immense glaciers, with ice floes drifting quietly offshore. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

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