mass

noun (1)

\ ˈmas

Definition of mass

(Entry 1 of 5)

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

2 often capitalized : a celebration of the Eucharist (see eucharist sense 1) Sunday masses held at three different hours

3 : a musical setting for the ordinary of the Mass Bach's Mass in B Minor

mass

noun (2)

Definition of mass (Entry 2 of 5)

1a : 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

3a : 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

mass

verb

massed; massing; masses

Definition of mass (Entry 3 of 5)

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

mass

adjective

Definition of mass (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : 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

Mass

abbreviation

Definition of Mass (Entry 5 of 5)

Massachusetts

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about mass

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Choose the Right Synonym for mass

Noun (2)

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

Examples of mass in a Sentence

Verb A large crowd of demonstrators massed outside the courthouse. Clouds were massing on the horizon. The generals massed their troops. Adjective Television is a mass medium.

First Known Use of mass

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for mass

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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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Dictionary Entries near mass

mass absorption coefficient

Statistics for mass

Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mass. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for mass

mass

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mass

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to form or gather into a large group

mass

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of mass (Entry 2 of 2)

: involving, affecting, or designed for many people

See the full definition for mass in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mass

noun

\ ˈmas

Kids Definition of mass

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

massed; massing

Kids Definition of mass (Entry 2 of 4)

: to collect into a large body … the population massed itself and moved toward the river …— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer

mass

noun, often capitalized

Kids Definition of mass (Entry 3 of 4)

: a religious service in which communion is celebrated

Mass.

abbreviation

Kids Definition of Mass.

Massachusetts

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 blue mass

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mass

noun