glacial

adjective

gla·​cial ˈglā-shəl How to pronounce glacial (audio)
1
: suggestive of ice: such as
a
: extremely cold : frigid
a glacial wind
b
: devoid of warmth and cordiality
a glacial handshake
c
: coldly imperturbable
maintained a glacial calm
2
: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals
glacial acetic acid
3
a(1)
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present
(2)
capitalized : pleistocene
b
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
c
: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers
progress on the bill has been glacial
glacially adverb

Examples of glacial in a Sentence

Progress on the bill has been glacial. a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend
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.
This photo is on of a series taken from a light aircraft and captures the blue waters of braided blue glacial rivers flowing into lakes from the high mountains of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 Wildlife viewing is just one element of the customizable all-inclusive itineraries that can also incorporate canyoneering, glacial immersions, heli experiences, archery, and equestrian adventures. Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025 This phenomenon, which makes the ground rise in some areas and sink in others, is called glacial isostatic adjustment. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025 Data from the last Ice Age show signs that glacial meltwater repeatedly pulsed into the North Atlantic. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for glacial

Word History

Etymology

Latin glacialis, from glacies

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glacial was in 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

glacial

adjective
gla·​cial ˈglā-shəl How to pronounce glacial (audio)
1
a
: extremely cold : frigid
b
: lacking warmth of feeling
2
a
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
b
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers
c
capitalized : pleistocene

More from Merriam-Webster on glacial

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