glass

1 of 2

noun

ˈglas How to pronounce glass (audio)
ˈgläs
often attributive
1
: any of various amorphous materials formed from a melt by cooling to rigidity without crystallization: such as
a
: a usually transparent or translucent material consisting typically of a mixture of silicates
b
: a material (such as obsidian) produced by fast cooling of magma
2
a
: something made of glass: such as
(1)
: tumbler
also : glassware
(2)
: mirror
(3)
(4)
b(1)
: an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen
(2)
: field glasses, binoculars
usually used in plural
c
glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

called also eyeglasses, spectacles

3
: the quantity held by a glass container
4
5
: crystal meth
specifically : a pure form of crystal meth
glassful noun
glassless adjective

glass

2 of 2

verb

glassed; glassing; glasses

transitive verb

1
a
: to provide with glass : glaze sense 1
b
: to enclose, case, or wall with glass
the sunroom was glassed in
2
: to make glassy
3
a
b
: to see mirrored
4
: to look at through an optical instrument (such as a pair of binoculars)

Examples of glass in a Sentence

Noun The waiter filled our glasses with water. She drank two glasses of water. She was wearing dark glasses with thick black frames.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
It can be enjoyed in a glass of prosecco or added to cocktails for a subtle, floral enhancement to various occasions. Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 In Louisville, many Black people are far from surprised Sept. 27, 2020 Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor’s glass door and windows during the raid, but didn’t hit anyone. Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
These bold, vibrant paint markers are the perfect upgrade from basic crayons, giving them a chance to decorate anything from posters to rocks to glass with a new level of motor skills. Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2024 Hunting these areas, or at least glassing them from afar, can produce encounters with big deer. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glass 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English glas, from Old English glæs; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of glass was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near glass

Cite this Entry

“Glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glass. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

glass

1 of 2 noun
1
: a hard brittle usually transparent substance commonly formed by melting a mixture of sand and chemicals and cooling to hardness
2
a
: something (as a water tumbler, lens, mirror, barometer, or telescope) that is made of glass or has a glass lens
b
plural : a pair of glass or plastic lenses held in a frame and used to help one see clearly or to protect the eyes
3
: the quantity held by a glass
glassful noun

glass

2 of 2 verb
: to fit or protect with glass

Medical Definition

glass

noun
often attributive
1
a
: an amorphous inorganic usually transparent or translucent substance consisting of a mixture of silicates or sometimes borates or phosphates formed by fusion of silica or of oxides of boron or phosphorus with a flux and a stabilizer into a mass that cools to a rigid condition without crystallization
b
: a substance resembling glass especially in hardness and transparency
organic glasses made from plastics
2
a
: an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen
b
glasses plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place

called also eyeglasses

Biographical Definition

Glass 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Carter 1858–1946 American statesman

Glass

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Philip 1937–     American composer

More from Merriam-Webster on glass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!