glass

1 of 2

noun

ˈglas 

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)

: barometer

(4)

: hourglass

(5)

: backboard sense 1

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

: fiberglass

5

: crystal meth

specifically : a pure form of crystal meth

glassful

ˈglas-ˌfu̇l 

noun

glassless

ˈglas-ləs 

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

: reflect

b

: to see mirrored

4

: to look at through an optical instrument (such as a pair of binoculars)

intransitive verb

: glaze entry 1 sense 1

Synonyms

Noun

• eyeglasses
• specs
• spectacles

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

Noun

Stores are locking up their own profits next to the deodorant Retailers like Target and Walmart put many common purchases behind glass to deter retail theft. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024

The chocolate sauce doesn’t even seem to go with the coconut cake that’s served in glasses. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 12 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

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

Phrases Containing glass

• art glass
• borosilicate glass
• cased glass
• cheval glass
• cocktail glass
• coupe glass
• cover glass
• crown glass
• cut glass
• Depression glass
• dressing glass
• field glass
• flint glass
• float glass
• glass ceiling
• glass closet
• glass eye
• glass fiber
• glass harmonica
• glass jaw
• glass snake
• glass sponge
• glass wool
• ground glass
• hand glass
• lead glass
• lime glass
• looking glass
• magnifying glass
• milk glass
• opera glass
• optical glass
• parfait glass
• people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
• pier glass
• plate glass
• quartz glass
• rocks glass
• ruby glass
• safety glass
• sheet glass
• spun glass
• stained glass
• under glass
• venetian glass
• volcanic glass
• water glass

Kids Definition

glass

1 of 2 noun

ˈglas 

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

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

glass

2 of 2 verb

: to fit or protect with glass

Medical Definition

glass

noun

ˈglas 

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)

ˈglas 

Carter 1858–1946 American statesman

Glass

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Philip 1937–     American composer