glass

noun, often attributive \ ˈglas , ˈgläs \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: glass in a Sentence

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

Frosted glass sliding doors that suggest shoji screens form entrances and closet doors in each bedroom and bath.

— judy rose, Detroit Free Press, "Former Corktown bachelor pad is now a loft fit for the whole family," 14 July 2018
What if instead of retreating to the grassy bank, the gunman had followed his initial shots through the broken glass door into the restaurant?

— frances stead sellers, Washington Post, "Two Oklahoma citizens killed an active shooter, and it's not as simple as it sounds," 13 July 2018
Adjaye, who collaborated on the project with the Freelon Group, Davis Brody Bond and SmithGroupJJR, practices a different kind of modernism than the abstract steel-and-glass boxes of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "The national African-American museum still stirs the soul — and drops hints of what to expect at the Obama Presidential Center," 11 July 2018
The naked suspect, who had entered through an unlocked sliding glass door, KTVU reported, was standing near a bedroom doorway masturbating.

— frank miles, Fox News, "Naked man linked to San Francisco Bay Area indecent-exposure cases caught on camera," 9 July 2018
On June 5, 1983, William Hughes peered through a sliding glass door into the master bedroom of the Ryen family’s house in Chino Hills.

— latimes.com, "'They framed me': On death row for decades, Kevin Cooper pushes for new DNA tests in Chino Hills murders," 8 July 2018
The report also said that one of the men broke a glass door and assaulted an employee.

— p.r. lockhart, Vox, "Officer who shot Antwon Rose is accused of past civil rights violations," 5 July 2018
Antonio Natali, 29, was detained immediately after breaking the glass door, said Lt.

— claire morgan, sacbee, "Citrus Heights Police had a break-in, and they didn't have to go far for an arrest," 5 July 2018
Through the steel-and-glass front doors, a foyer with 40-foot hardwood ceilings leads to an open area that includes the living room, dining room, kitchen and a space currently used as a game room.

— kevin brass, New York Times, "House Hunting in ... Costa Rica," 4 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.

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

glassed; glassing; glasses

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

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
Mike the Tiger moved through the water of his glassed-in enclosure with the elegant stealth of, well, a tiger.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Millions watch video of Mike the Tiger 'stalk' LSU visitor. Then his caretaker pounced," 21 June 2018
The interior is equally sleek and minimalist, allowing details like the decorative black and white floor tiles on the front glassed in dining space to shine.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville Italian restaurant is full of potential but has work to do," 20 June 2018
Off a hallway with spacious his-and-her closets is the Travertine master bath with curved walls, a double vanity, and a glassed-in shower with dual showerheads.

— joan walden, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 22 Pasture Lane, West Simsbury," 18 May 2017
The restaurant is in the center of the massive building, on the first floor below a glassed projection.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Glass + Griddle restaurant will open at Milwaukee Brewing Co. in August," 23 May 2018
Between the kitchen and the dining room is a butler’s pantry with glassed-in cabinets to showcase dishes and glasses.

— joan walden, courant.com, "59 Lord Davis Lane, Avon," 8 Mar. 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