mass

noun \ ˈmas \

Definition of mass

1 capitalized : the liturgy of the Eucharist (see Eucharist 1) especially in accordance with the traditional Latin rite (see rite 1)

2 often capitalized : a celebration of the Eucharist (see Eucharist 1)

Sunday masses held at three different hours

3 : a musical setting for the ordinary of the Mass

Bach's Mass in B Minor

Origin and Etymology of mass

Middle English, from Old English mæsse, modification of Vulgar Latin *messa, literally, dismissal at the end of a religious service, from Late Latin missa, from Latin, feminine of missus, past participle of mittere to send

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mass

noun

Definition of mass

1 a : a quantity or aggregate of matter usually of considerable size

b (1) : expanse, bulk

(2) : massive quality or effect

(3) : the main part or body

the great mass of the continent is buried under an ice cap
—Walter Sullivan

(4) : aggregate, whole

men in the mass

c : the property of a body that is a measure of its inertia and that is commonly taken as a measure of the amount of material it contains and causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

2 : a large quantity, amount, or number

a mass of material

3 a : a large body of persons in a group

a mass of spectators

b : the great body of the people as contrasted with the elite —often used in plural

the underprivileged and disadvantaged masses
—C. A. Buss

Origin and Etymology of mass

Middle English masse, from Anglo-French, from Latin massa, from Greek maza; akin to Greek massein to knead — more at mingle

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Synonym Discussion of mass

bulk, mass, volume mean the aggregate that forms a body or unit. bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

- the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

- a mass of boulders

volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

- a tremendous volume of water

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

mass

verb

Definition of mass

transitive verb

: to form or collect into a mass

intransitive verb

: to assemble in a mass

three thousand students had massed in the plaza
—A. E. Neville

See mass defined for English-language learners

Examples of mass in a Sentence

A large crowd of demonstrators massed outside the courthouse.
Clouds were massing on the horizon.
The generals massed their troops.

First Known Use of mass

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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mass Synonyms

mass

adjective

Definition of mass

1 a : of or relating to the mass of the people

mass market

; also : being one of or at one with the mass : average

mass man

b : participated in by or affecting a large number of individuals

mass destruction

c : having a large-scale character

mass plantings of tulips

2 : viewed as a whole : total

the mass effect of a design

See mass defined for English-language learners

Examples of mass in a Sentence

Television is a mass medium.

First Known Use of mass

1733

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Mass

abbreviation

Definition of Mass

Massachusetts

MASS Defined for English Language Learners

mass

verb

Definition of mass for English Language Learners

: to form or gather into a large group

mass

adjective

Definition of mass for English Language Learners

: involving, affecting, or designed for many people

MASS Defined for Kids

mass

noun \ ˈmas \

Definition of mass for Students

1 : a large quantity or number

A great mass of people pushed through the gate.

2 : an amount of something that holds or clings together

a mass of clouds

3 : large size : bulk

an elephant's huge mass

4 : the principal part : main body

The great mass of voters supported change.

5 masses plural : the body of ordinary or common people

She was a hero to the masses.

mass

verb

Definition of mass for Students

massed; massing

: to collect into a large body

… the population massed itself and moved toward the river …
—Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer

mass

noun, often capitalized

Definition of mass for Students

: a religious service in which communion is celebrated

Mass.

abbreviation

Definition of Mass. for Students

Massachusetts

Medical Dictionary

mass

noun \ ˈmas \

medical Definition of mass

1 : the property of a body that is a measure of its inertia, that is commonly taken as a measure of the amount of material it contains, that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field, and that along with length and time constitutes one of the fundamental quantities on which all physical measurements are based

2 : a homogeneous pasty mixture compounded for making pills, lozenges, and plasters