glass

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈglas , ˈgläs \

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

Daunhauer slid on her glasses and, squinting, started punching numbers.

— Washington Post, "Lisa Daunhauer wanted to be one of the few to get off disability. But first she had to succeed at Walmart.," 27 Aug. 2017
Its image-rich text fueled the imagination of Jews, who were forbidden by tradition to depict their truths in painting or stained glass the way their Christian neighbors did.

— arthur green, The Atlantic, "Restoring Kabbalah to Mainstream Judaism," 25 Aug. 2017
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with fresh orange peel.

— kara studzinski, Esquire, "How to Turn College Spirits Into Grown-Up Cocktails," 22 Aug. 2017
The astronomical society gave out 200 pairs of glasses at Monday's event.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Excited Harford County residents gather to view Monday's solar eclipse," 22 Aug. 2017
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg Eclipse glasses as a photo filter.

— Bloomberg.com, "Solar Eclipse Awes America With a Glimpse of Totality," 21 Aug. 2017
This time Koenig had solar viewing glasses to see the event.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Hundreds view solar eclipse at Rancho Bernardo Library," 21 Aug. 2017
Glasses like hers were in short-supply — stores everywhere sold out in recent days — so people improvised to avoid having their eyesight injured by the sun’s rays.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sun and moon put on a celestial show for thousands throughout county," 21 Aug. 2017
Later, America's White supremacy defending commander-in-chief decided that maybe those solar eclipse glasses would come in handy and popped on a pair before damaging his cornea.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "Of Course Trump Stared Directly At The Sun During The Solar Eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

glass Synonyms

Synonyms

eyeglasses, specs, spectacles

Related Words

bifocals, half-glasses, trifocals; lorgnette, monocle, pince-nez; 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

Beer will be available by the glass — just not a traditional pint glass — but Willi Becher glasses with a sculpted curve at the top.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gathering Place Brewing in Riverwest gears up for Aug. 19 grand opening," 10 Aug. 2017
In a glassed-in display room, the lab shows off upwards of 5,000 guns that District police have taken off the streets over the the years—sometimes going back a very long time.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "It Might Be Impossible to Get Away With Crime Some Day," 28 July 2017
An elevator shaft is in the glassed-in connector between the buildings, which will allow people with disabilities to have access to the second floors of both structures.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace Opera House opening week is Aug. 6-13," 17 July 2017
Every angle has to be thought through, every plate and piece of art and glassed-in shower becomes a statement, and the empty spaces speak as loudly as the decor.

— louise hart, GQ, "4 Rules for a More Minimalist Home," 6 July 2017
And the Prince Gallery, Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel, which opened last year, features a massive glassed-in shower-bathtub combo visible to the rest of the space—and to the city below.

— andrea bartz, Vogue, "The Latest Luxury Travel Trend: Exhibitionist Showers," 28 June 2017
The glassed-in, open upper level houses a comfy living area, a stainless-steel kitchenette and a spalike bathroom.

— sandy deneau dunham, The Seattle Times, "Taking ‘prefabricated construction’ to all new levels," 23 June 2017
Fill Collins glasses with ice cubes and divide cocktail among glasses.

— Bon Appetit, "Blackberry Collins," 19 June 2017
Woody GlassesThese handcrafted sunglasses are made out of wood, hence the name.

— denise harris, star-telegram.com, "Ready, set ... get those last-minute gifts for dad," 16 June 2017

First Known Use of glass

14th century

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Glass

play

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

play

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

play

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

play

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

Learn More about glass

See words that rhyme with glass Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for glass Spanish Central: Translation of glass Nglish: Translation of glass for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of glass for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glass

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up glass? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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glass

Definition of glass

glassful

glassless

From the M-W Editors

Examples of glass in a Sentence

Recent Examples of glass from the Web

Origin and Etymology of glass

glass Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

glass

Definition of glass

Recent Examples of glass from the Web

First Known Use of glass

Other Building Terms

Glass

Definition of Glass

Glass

Definition of Glass

Phrases Related to GLASS

Related Phrases

GLASS Defined for English Language Learners

glass

Definition of glass for English Language Learners

glass

Definition of glass for English Language Learners

GLASS Defined for Kids

glass

Definition of glass for Students

Medical Dictionary

glass

medical Definition of glass

Learn More about glass

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