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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The director, who broke the glass ceiling for a female filmmaker at the box office with Wonder Woman‘s $103.2M domestic opening (and ultimate $412.8M stateside and near $824M global take) voiced her upset to the media. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 July 2025 SeaWorld San Diego is breaking the glass ceiling this summer with a concert series featuring legendary Hip-Hop and R&B acts. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 10 July 2025 During her conversation with The New York Times, Copeland remarked on the way prejudiced stereotypes have kept Black people off the stage and her hope that her success has shattered the glass ceiling for good. Alyssa Davis, People.com, 30 June 2025 The colors of the sculpture shift and glow as the sun filters through the glass ceiling of the arcade. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for glass ceiling

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glass ceiling was in 1984

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Cite this Entry

“Glass ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glass%20ceiling. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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