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

Iceland Nolan’s shoot in Iceland marked the director’s third time filming in the country, having previously used its glaciers and highlands for Batman Begins and Interstellar. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

In addition to causing harmful health impacts, wildfire smoke also darkens glaciers in the mountains. — Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Towering glaciers flow down the Himalayas' northern slopes like icy giants cascading onto China's Tibetan Plateau. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026

For even more dramatic alpine scenery, make the drive to Glacier National Park to hike beneath glaciers, spot rushing waterfalls fed by ancient ice fields, and brave a freezing cold plunge in an aquamarine glacier lake. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 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