glass

noun, often attributive

\ ˈglas

, ˈgläs\

Definition of glass

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : any of various amorphous materials formed from a melt by cooling to rigidity without crystallization: such as

a : a usually transparent or translucent material consisting typically of a mixture of silicates

b : a material (such as obsidian) produced by fast cooling of magma

2a : something made of glass: such as

(1) : tumbler also : glassware

(2) : mirror

(3) : barometer

(4) : hourglass

(5) : backboard sense 1

b(1) : an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen

(2) : field glasses, binoculars —usually used in plural

c glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

— called also eyeglasses, spectacles

3 : the quantity held by a glass container

4 : fiberglass

5 : crystal meth specifically : a pure form of crystal meth

glass

verb

glassed; glassing; glasses

Definition of glass (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to provide with glass : glaze sense 1

b : to enclose, case, or wall with glass the sunroom was glassed in

2 : to make glassy

3a : reflect

b : to see mirrored

4 : to look at through an optical instrument (such as a pair of binoculars)

intransitive verb

: glaze entry 1 sense 1

Glass

biographical name (1)

\ ˈglas

Definition of Glass (Entry 3 of 4)

Carter 1858–1946 American statesman

Glass

biographical name (2)

Definition of Glass (Entry 4 of 4)

Philip 1937– American composer

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Examples of glass in a Sentence

Noun

The waiter filled our glasses with water. She drank two glasses of water. She was wearing dark glasses with thick black frames.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The brand has become a bit of a status symbol on wedding registries, akin to other big-ticket items like the KitchenAid mixer or Riedel wine glasses. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Score 30 percent off All-Clad cookware—the ultimate wedding gift," 15 July 2019 Nestled in an accidental amphitheater of concrete and glass formed, on three sides, by tall apartments and an office building, the weeklymovie series — in its 12th season — has a vibe that’s both slightly gritty and surprisingly welcoming. — Washington Post, "12 things to do in the D.C. area this week," 15 July 2019 The drink is a blend of Aperol and prosecco served over ice in a wine glass. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "New Mailina Italian restaurant brings Little Italy to Fountain Square," 15 July 2019 Behind wire-mesh glass, the facility’s rooms were painted a fluorescent green. — Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, "The Promise and Price of Cellular Therapies," 15 July 2019 Torn in war, faded by time, Rhode Island’s collection of 80 historic battle flags were placed for public view a century ago inside bronze and glass cases in vestibules at the State House. — Amanda Milkovits, BostonGlobe.com, "Historic flags remain in storage, more than two years after they were removed from State House for restoration," 15 July 2019 Houston skyline views can be enjoyed with 11-foot ceiling heights and floor-to-ceiling glass. — Valerie Sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "Condo Life: Luxury high-rise spotlight on The Belfiore," 14 July 2019 Rows of Emmy and Oscar statuettes glisten in glass cabinets at its center. — Brooks Barnes, New York Times, "‘The Town Hall of Hollywood.’ Welcome to the Netflix Lobby.," 14 July 2019 Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern tweeted out a video of a group of migrants crowded behind a glass panel at the McAllen, Texas border patrol station. — Nikole Killion, CBS News, "Democrats push back on Pence's description of border facility," 13 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The master bath was expanded to include a glassed-in shower with river stones set into the floor as well as an antique claw-foot tub. — Carol Riordan, courant.com, "Property of the week: 262 Kenyon Street, Hartford," 16 Nov. 2017 In November 2017, Semedo was investigated over two separate incidents relating to possession of a firearm in a Valencia nightclub and glassing a man over the head with a bottle. — SI.com, "Villarreal Defender Ruben Semedo Arrested for a Third Time for Kidnap and Assault Operation," 20 Feb. 2018 Steps away, in a separate room with a door, the toilet and glassed-in shower got illumination from a skylight. — Sara Lieberman, New York Times, "In Mexico, a Former Factory Is an Artful Hotel," 31 Mar. 2018 Sherman Samuel suggested a Pink Marble pattern from her Lulu & Georgia wallpaper collection for the more intimate glassed-in showroom, with flooring that's a vinyl decal from Atrafloor but looks like stone and brass inlay from a distance. — Jessica Ritz, latimes.com, "A DTLA jewelry designer's studio and showroom get a shining makeover," 26 May 2018 The stunning bathrooms combine tumbled marble, travertine, and glassed-in showers with multiple body sprays. — Joan Walden, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 485 Deercliff Road, Avon," 20 Oct. 2017 The sidewalk tables were filled with couples, families filled the glassed-in terrace, old friends lined the bar. — Michael Kiefer, azcentral, "Paris terrorist attacks didn't crush the spirit of the 11th Arrondissement," 10 May 2018 The Voodoo Lounge, located on the northeast wing, fuses sports bar culture and live music with trivia nights and video poker. The glassed-in patio space seats up to 56 guests. — Patrick Z. Mcgavin, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank," 9 July 2018 Framery, an 8-year-old Finnish company, introduced its own napping pod at NeoCon, a variation on its glassed-in, soundproof meeting pod. The $20,000 NapQ features two cushioned chairs that transform into a bed. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Office napping climbs out from under the desk and into high-tech pods," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near glass

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Last Updated

18 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for glass

The first known use of glass was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for glass

glass

noun

English Language Learners Definition of glass

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a hard usually transparent material that is used for making windows and other products

: a drinking container made out of glass

: the amount held by a glass container

glass

verb

English Language Learners Definition of glass (Entry 2 of 2)

: to fit, protect, or enclose (something) with glass

See the full definition for glass in the English Language Learners Dictionary

glass

noun

\ ˈglas

Kids Definition of glass

1 : a hard brittle usually transparent substance commonly made from sand heated with chemicals

2 : a drinking container made of glass

3 glasses plural : a pair of glass or plastic lenses held in a frame and used to help a person see clearly or to protect the eyes

4 : the contents of a glass a glass of milk

glass

noun, often attributive

\ ˈglas

Medical Definition of glass

1a : an amorphous inorganic usually transparent or translucent substance consisting of a mixture of silicates or sometimes borates or phosphates formed by fusion of silica or of oxides of boron or phosphorus with a flux and a stabilizer into a mass that cools to a rigid condition without crystallization

b : a substance resembling glass especially in hardness and transparency organic glasses made from plastics

2a : an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen

b glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

— called also eyeglasses