glass

noun, often attributive \ ˈglas , ˈgläs \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 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

Behavior that includes an alleged appropriation of wine glasses from public drinking establishments.

— tess kornfeld, Glamour, "A Talk Show Host Just Called Out Rihanna on Her Iconic Wine Glass Heists," 16 June 2018
At Versace’s Spring 2019 menswear show in Milan today, Jenner strutted down a glass catwalk wearing a super-short minidress in a swirling chain-and-floral print.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Returns to the Runway at Versace After a 5-Month Sabbatical," 16 June 2018
Serve tea over ice cubes in tall glasses or chill in refrigerator in large pitcher. 2.

— Good Housekeeping, "What to Make for Girls' Night In (When You've Got Zero Time to Plan)," 15 June 2018
Our signature program is the support of individuals, primarily children, with eye examinations, glasses, hearing screenings and diabetes supplies.

— Naperville Sun, "5th Avenue ‘no brainers’ make no sense," 15 June 2018
Winslow stood behind a protective glass partition in court Friday afternoon as his lawyer Brian Watkins entered not guilty pleas to all charges.

— a.j. perez, USA TODAY, "Could Kellen Winslow Jr.'s lawyers use CTE as a defense in sex-crimes case?," 15 June 2018
Have you ever been struck by the irony of exhibiting musical instruments — renowned for their singular sounds — in glass display cases?

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "How to Hear the Met’s Historic Instruments’ Singular Sounds," 15 June 2018
That lumpy bowl will just end up in a glass cabinet until someone throws it out at my estate sale.

— james breakwell, Indianapolis Star, "Xploding Unicorn: Dads don't need a special day to remind them they're dads," 15 June 2018
Lynch had tried to originally enter through the woman's bedroom window before eventually breaking through her sliding-glass door with a metal pole to gain entry.

— angel guerrero, sacbee, "Man convicted of attempted murder in 2017 Citrus Heights stabbing," 15 June 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

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
Customers were whisked through a state-of-the art lobby that showcases the history of the team, past a live view of the stadium construction with a countdown clock, a large stadium model and up into glassed-in offices to close the deal.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Las Vegas loves its hockey team. Is there room for the Raiders?," 29 Apr. 2018
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

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