water glass

noun

1
: a glass vessel (such as a drinking glass) for holding water
2
: an instrument consisting of an open box or tube with a glass bottom used for examining objects in or under water
3
: a substance that consists usually of the silicate of sodium, is found in commerce as a glassy mass, a stony powder, or dissolved in water as a viscous syrupy liquid, and is used especially as a cement, a protective coating, and as a fireproofing agent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Hey, Dad, hand me a new water glass. Benjamin Flores, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2020 But nature sometimes overflows the water glass. Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2018 Most of the time, those instincts lead to relatively harmless antics, like occasionally getting stuck in the hamper or knocking over a water glass. Courtney Vinopal, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2023 Another drowned in a water glass. Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2021 On the first Sunday of 2021, Mr. Mullins arrived at the church before anyone else, as always, and made sure everything was just so — down to placing a water glass at the pulpit for the morning’s preacher. New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 Add both a white and red wine glass to the right of the water glass. Leigh Crandall, Country Living, 1 Sep. 2022 There’s the president instructing an aide to remove a small table and water glass at his side, then telling the aide to bring it back. Eli Stokolsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2022 So much so that the character’s introductory scene — where Arthur smashes his cane onto a water glass and puts the shards into his sandals — was Hawke’s idea. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 30 Mar. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water glass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of water glass was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near water glass

Cite this Entry

“Water glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20glass. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

water glass

noun
: a glass container (as a drinking glass) for holding water

More from Merriam-Webster on water glass

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