glass

noun, often attributive \ ˈglas , ˈgläs \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of glass

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 a : something made of glass: such as

(1) : tumbler; also : glassware

(2) : mirror

(3) : barometer

(4) : hourglass

(5) : backboard 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

—

glassful

play \ˈglas-ˌfu̇l\ noun

—

glassless

play \ˈglas-ləs\ adjective

See glass defined for English-language learners

See glass defined for kids

Examples of glass in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of glass from the Web

Under those glasses was more Marc Jacobs makeup, specifically shadows chosen from the Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette in Edgitorial ($49) by Cardi B's makeup artist, Erika La' Pearl.

— marci robin, Allure, "This Is the Lipstick Cardi B Wore to Announce Her Pregnancy on SNL," 9 Apr. 2018
In order to take advantage of the temperate Hawaiian climate, Tiny Heirloom also used two different three-panel opening glass NanaWall SL60 systems that fully retract.

— megan barber, Curbed, "400-square-foot Hawaiian tiny house brings the outdoors in," 9 Apr. 2018
Fifty floors up, facing east, a pair of large horizontal windows were punched out, and the glass and metal facade above appeared scorched and sooty.

— john leland and luis ferre-sadurni, BostonGlobe.com, "Art collector, bon vivant dies in Trump Tower home he couldn’t sell," 9 Apr. 2018
Light appetizers and commemorative glass are provided.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Beer calendar: Local brewery battle set, Masthead at Rozi's, Platform tap takeover, more," 9 Apr. 2018
Look up inside the living room here, and see a chandelier made from two royal blue glass sconces salvaged from a Los Angeles theater.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Gardenburger founder's fabled Art Deco house sells; rent it on AirBnB (photos)," 9 Apr. 2018
This is a great excuse to buy the clear glass Instant Pot lid to see what’s going on in there.

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Bacony Croutons Because It’s Still Ham Season," 9 Apr. 2018
The aluminum band and glass enclosure are both red, and the front — like the space gray iPhone — is all black.

— emily wang, Teen Vogue, "Apple and (RED) Are Releasing Red Versions of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus," 9 Apr. 2018
Zito noted the design features a large glass curtain wall that wraps around the entrance to the facility as well as large windows, allowing light to filter in.

— jennifer larino, NOLA.com, "See plans for a new, public indoor pool in Behrman Park in Algiers," 9 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of glass

Middle English glas, from Old English glæs; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

glass Synonyms

Synonyms

eyeglasses, specs, spectacles;

Related Words

bifocals, half-glasses, trifocals;

sunglasses;

goggles;

contact lens;

glass

verb

Definition of glass

transitive verb

1 a : to provide with glass : glaze 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)

intransitive verb

: ¹glaze 1

See glass defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of glass from the Web

At the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Piano added a modern satellite and linked it to the neo-Venetian mansion by a glassed-in walkway.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "This Time, a Much More Promising Attempt to Fix the Frick," 13 Apr. 2018
The restaurant occupies a glassed-in warehouse just off an improvised plaza decorated with Christmas lights.

— jonathan gold, latimes.com, "At Majordomo, Jonathan Gold is unsure whether to praise chef David Chang — or bury him," 13 Apr. 2018
The space offers a cave bedroom (which admittedly can get a little dark and has no cell service), glassed-in living room, and outdoor patio with a pretty impressive chandelier, as well as an infinity pool carved into the rock behind the home.

— meredith carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "10 Offbeat Airbnb Rentals, from Covered Wagons to Castles," 3 Apr. 2018
In batting practice Saturday, Ohtani launched a home run to center, above the batter’s eye and above the row of glassed-in lux-boxes.

— scott ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "Hitting or pitching, Angels’ Shohei Ohtani harkens to the days of Babe Ruth," 1 Apr. 2018
Social Tap San Diego: This lively, 3-year-old sports bar boasts a stellar view of Park at the Park from its glassed-in patio.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ballpark bites: Our 18 picks for spots to eat and drink outside Petco Park," 29 Mar. 2018
In an otherwise empty betting hall, a security guard patrolled listlessly as staff members sat behind glassed-in counters, napping or tapping away on their smartphones.

— patrick boehler, New York Times, "A Greyhound Racetrack Meets Its Demise," 21 Feb. 2018
Speaking to me about the building in October, in the glassed-in penthouse library above his firm’s Tokyo offices, Kuma became animated.

— nikil saval, New York Times, "Kengo Kuma’s Architecture of the Future," 15 Feb. 2018
The space — a glassed-in kind of half-moon stuffed with people and lights — is also open-air, as the Today production is constantly on the move, going inside and out.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Everything You Don't See at Home During Today's Olympics Broadcast," 14 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of glass

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Glass

biographical name \ ˈglas \

Definition of Glass

Carter 1858–1946 American statesman

Glass

biographical name

Definition of Glass

Philip 1937– American composer

GLASS Defined for English Language Learners

glass

noun

Definition of glass for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of glass for English Language Learners

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

GLASS Defined for Kids

glass

noun \ ˈglas \

Definition of glass for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

glass

noun, often attributive \ ˈglas \

medical Definition of glass

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