sash

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsash 

: 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

ˈsasht 

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• belt
• ribbon

Examples of sash in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a dress with a flowered silk sash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This Ghost of Yōtei haunts the red maple forests and stalks the snowy tundra in search of those whose names are written on the sash wrapped around her waist. —Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025

In the early 20th century, advocates for women’s voting rights often opted for white dresses with sashes in gold and purple as signs of their solidarity. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

In one photo, Leah could be seen smiling next to her stepsister, who wore a birthday sash and kissed her sister on the cheek. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025

Ditto for the sash details on several looks. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing sash

• sash window

Rhymes for sash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

sash

1 of 2 noun

ˈsash 

: 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