often attributive
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
2
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
5
: crystal meth
specifically
: a pure form of crystal meth
glassed; glassing; glasses
1
a
: to provide with glass : glaze sense 1
b
: to enclose, case, or wall with glass
the sunroom was glassed in
2
: to make glassy
3
a
: reflect
b
: to see mirrored
4
: to look at through an optical instrument (such as a pair of binoculars)
Synonyms
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
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
An exterior sliding glass window allowed for walk-up service.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
He’s also specifically worked on the development of pharmaceutical drugs designed to reduce the need for glasses in patients with vision loss.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023
Meta’s next pair of smart glasses made in partnership with Ray-Ban owner Luxottica might be released sometime soon.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 16 Sep. 2023
The force of the blast hurled pieces of glass and shrapnel that were embedded in Collins Rudolph’s face.
—Kara Nelson, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023
Daniel, 7, was not injured, his mother suffered cuts from glass and Serhii had to be extracted from the vehicle and had severe injuries to his left leg.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Meanwhile, Bryce Dessner’s bold score blurs together past and present through the incorporation of diegetic noises, so that the clang of broken glass becomes an unbearable cacophony reverberating between Barbe-Nicole’s stress now and François’ mania then.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023
Lambo’s seminal supercar also inspired the glass roof of the concept, where horizontal rails echo the groove into which the Countach’s periscope-style rear mirror is housed.
—WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Mar. 2023
Kentuckians collect the Kentucky Derby glasses their mint juleps are served in at Churchill Downs and carry them home in stacks.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2023
The former traffic cop pushes her tortoiseshell glasses up her nose and surveys her class of property managers and landlords, who have so far failed to match her pep at 9 in the morning.
—Jack Ross, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023
Our fingers take a little while to get used to glass.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2017
Climate activists in Austria on Tuesday attacked a famous painting by artist Gustav Klimt with a black, oily liquid and one then glued himself to glass protecting the painting’s frame.
—Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2022
As businesses switch from plastic containers to glass to meet their sustainable packaging goals, competition for bottles is intensifying.
—Carol Ryan, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022
In 1825, the Boston Sandwich Glass Company relocated to Cape Cod because the sand lends itself nicely to glass blowing.
—Lea Lane, Forbes, 6 July 2022
One of his first acts as Colorado athletic director in 2005 was to change the large wooden doors of his office to glass to encourage visitors.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021
See More
Noun
Serve them in individual glasses to limit germs spreading around the table.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023
An exterior sliding glass window allowed for walk-up service.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023
He’s also specifically worked on the development of pharmaceutical drugs designed to reduce the need for glasses in patients with vision loss.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023
Meta’s next pair of smart glasses made in partnership with Ray-Ban owner Luxottica might be released sometime soon.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 16 Sep. 2023
The force of the blast hurled pieces of glass and shrapnel that were embedded in Collins Rudolph’s face.
—Kara Nelson, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023
Daniel, 7, was not injured, his mother suffered cuts from glass and Serhii had to be extracted from the vehicle and had severe injuries to his left leg.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Meanwhile, Bryce Dessner’s bold score blurs together past and present through the incorporation of diegetic noises, so that the clang of broken glass becomes an unbearable cacophony reverberating between Barbe-Nicole’s stress now and François’ mania then.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023
Lambo’s seminal supercar also inspired the glass roof of the concept, where horizontal rails echo the groove into which the Countach’s periscope-style rear mirror is housed.
—WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
Verb
The Pirates prefer to glass the offensive glass and score off turnovers, similar to the Longhorns.
—Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Mar. 2023
Kentuckians collect the Kentucky Derby glasses their mint juleps are served in at Churchill Downs and carry them home in stacks.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2023
The former traffic cop pushes her tortoiseshell glasses up her nose and surveys her class of property managers and landlords, who have so far failed to match her pep at 9 in the morning.
—Jack Ross, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023
Our fingers take a little while to get used to glass.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2017
Climate activists in Austria on Tuesday attacked a famous painting by artist Gustav Klimt with a black, oily liquid and one then glued himself to glass protecting the painting’s frame.
—Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2022
As businesses switch from plastic containers to glass to meet their sustainable packaging goals, competition for bottles is intensifying.
—Carol Ryan, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022
In 1825, the Boston Sandwich Glass Company relocated to Cape Cod because the sand lends itself nicely to glass blowing.
—Lea Lane, Forbes, 6 July 2022
One of his first acts as Colorado athletic director in 2005 was to change the large wooden doors of his office to glass to encourage visitors.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English glas, from Old English glæs; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of glass was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing glass
Dictionary Entries Near glass
Cite this Entry
“Glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glass. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
glass
1 of 2 noun1
: a hard brittle usually transparent substance commonly formed by melting a mixture of sand and chemicals and cooling to hardness
2
a
: something (as a water tumbler, lens, mirror, barometer, or telescope) that is made of glass or has a glass lens
b
plural
: a pair of glass or plastic lenses held in a frame and used to help one see clearly or to protect the eyes
3
: the quantity held by a glass
glass
2 of 2 verb
: to fit or protect with glass
Medical Definition
glass
nounoften attributive
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
Biographical Definition
Glass
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Philip 1937– American composer
More from Merriam-Webster on glass
Nglish: Translation of glass for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of glass for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glass
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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