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
• ceinture
• cincture
• cummerbund
• cumberbund
• girdle
• self-belt

Examples of sash in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a dress with a flowered silk sash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The women wear white dresses with sashes that tie at the back, like vestal virgins presented as tribute. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

Captured by Tina Barney, the campaign featured a pageant theme complete with tiaras and sashes. —Julia Teti, WWD, 14 Oct. 2024

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum receives the presidential sash during the inauguration ceremony at the Congress of the Union in Mexico City on Tuesday. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024

Finally, the lovers wind themselves tightly together and the sash falls away. —Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

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

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