sash

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a band worn about the waist or over one shoulder and used as a dress accessory or the emblem of an honorary or military order
sashed adjective

sash

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural sash also sashes
: the framework in which panes of glass are set in a window or door
also : such a framework together with its panes forming a usually movable part of a window

Examples of sash in a Sentence

Noun (1) a dress with a flowered silk sash
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.
Noun
The bridal attendants dressed in outfits similar to Diana, with taffeta satin, lace trim and yellow sashes. Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 July 2025 The drop waist was further defined with a deep olive green sash and a voluminous skirt. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 July 2025 Don Andrés conserves and organizes the sashes he's received from the National Puerto Rican Day Parades in New York and Chicago in honor of his contributions. Wesley J. Pérez Vidal, NBC news, 22 July 2025 Bridesmaids visiting the bachelorette party capital became ticked off as bars burst at the seams with NFL fans, leaving little to no room for veils and sashes. Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sash

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by dissimilation from earlier shash, borrowed from Arabic shāsh "muslin"

Noun (2)

probably by dissimilation from synonymous shash, back-formation from shashes (taken as plural), apparently variant of chasses (attested later), borrowed from French châssis "frame holding window glass" — more at chassis

Note: Any sorting of the derivational succession must be speculative, because shashes, sashes and sash window are all attested within a few years of each other, and chasses, chassis—more closely approximating French—a decade later. It is likely that these words circulated for a considerable time before they found their way into print in the 1680's and '90's.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1678, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sash was circa 1678

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Cite this Entry

“Sash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sash. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sash

1 of 2 noun
: a broad band (as of silk) worn around the waist or over the shoulder

sash

2 of 2 noun
plural sash also sashes
1
: the frame in which panes of glass are set in a window or door
2
: the movable part of a window

More from Merriam-Webster on sash

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