glass ceiling

noun

: an intangible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women or minorities from obtaining upper-level positions

Examples of glass ceiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by her father’s work as a private eye, Eliza (Phillips) has spent the last six seasons breaking the glass ceiling while solving countless mysteries. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026

There's a clear reversal of the manager-report power dynamic and gender roles the pair had in the office, where Bradley as CEO wielded power over Linda, who had hit a glass ceiling in their boys' club of a company. —Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026

There are so many trailblazers who have come before me, paving the way and cracking glass ceilings that once felt unbreakable. —Brittany Pettersen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026

Next to Nashville's iconic Grand Ole Opry, the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is known for having acres of gardens under the glass ceiling of its atrium. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glass ceiling

• annealing
• appealing
• concealing
• congealing
• freewheeling
• repealing
• revealing
• unfeeling
• dealing
• feeling
• healing
• heeling

Kids Definition

glass ceiling

noun

: an informal limit to how high a position women and minorities can earn in a company