window

American  

[win-doh] / ˈwɪn doʊ /

noun

• windows
  plural

1. an opening in the wall of a building, the side of a vehicle, etc., for the admission of air or light, or both, commonly fitted with a frame in which are set movable sashes containing panes of glass.

2. such an opening with the frame, sashes, and panes of glass, or any other device, by which it is closed.

3. the frame, sashes, and panes of glass, or the like, intended to fit such an opening.

   Finally the builders put in the windows.

4. a windowpane.

5. anything likened to a window in appearance or function, as a transparent section in an envelope, displaying the address.

6. a period of time regarded as highly favorable for initiating or completing something.

   Investors have a window of perhaps six months before interest rates rise.

7. Military. chaff.

8. Geology. fenster.

9. Pharmacology. the drug dosage range that results in a therapeutic effect, a lower dose being insufficient and a higher dose being toxic.

10. Aerospace.

    1. launch window.

    2. a specific area at the outer limits of the earth's atmosphere through which a spacecraft must reenter to arrive safely at its planned destination.

11. Computers. a section of a display screen that can be created for viewing information from another part of a file or from another file.

    The split screen feature enables a user to create two or more windows.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a window or windows.

2. Obsolete. to display or put in a window.

window British  

/ ˈwɪndəʊ /

noun

1. a light framework, made of timber, metal, or plastic, that contains glass or glazed opening frames and is placed in a wall or roof to let in light or air or to see through

2. an opening in the wall or roof of a building that is provided to let in light or air or to see through

3. See windowpane

4. the display space in and directly behind a shop window

   the dress in the window

5. any opening or structure resembling a window in function or appearance, such as the transparent area of an envelope revealing an address within

6. an opportunity to see or understand something usually unseen

   a window on the workings of Parliament

7. a period of unbooked time in a diary, schedule, etc

8. short for launch window weather window

9. physics a region of the spectrum in which a medium transmits electromagnetic radiation See also radio window

10. computing an area of a VDU display that may be manipulated separately from the rest of the display area; typically different files can be displayed simultaneously in different overlapping windows

11. (modifier) of or relating to a window or windows

    a window ledge

12. informal dispensed with; disregarded

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verb

1. (tr) to furnish with or as if with windows

window Idioms  

1. see out the window.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unwindowed
  adjective
• well-windowed
  adjective
• windowless
  adjective
• windowy
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• windows
  plural

Etymology

Origin of window

1175–1225; Middle English windoge, windowe < Old Norse vindauga, equivalent to vindr wind ¹ + auga eye

Explanation

A window is an opening in a wall that you can see through. Most windows are fitted with glass and can be opened to let air flow through them on a warm spring day. Buildings have windows so that the sun can brighten up indoor spaces during the day. You can also use window to mean just the glass pane inside the frame: "Sorry that my baseball broke the window!" Cars have windows too, which can be rolled up and down, and department stores use their large windows to display items for sale. And on a computer, a window is an area containing information that's enclosed by a window-like "frame."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

window windows

Halliday thinks the squad "shouldn't be that imbalanced this late into the transfer window" and reckons they need "three centre-halves, one left-back, two, arguably, three wingers".

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The critical 72-hour window to find people alive came to a close on Thursday, but Giraldo and others are drawing hope from their reunions with furry friends.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

Next to it, a small ghost peeps furtively through a window.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

“The preseason games will give us a window of insight into where everybody is,” Harbaugh said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Despite the fact that I’ve been watering Mr. Harris’s plant, and rotating its position in the window, it still looks like a barren stick.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

This includes increased maintenance costs and decreased readiness windows while ships are prepared to deploy again, he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

Light shaking is generally noticeable indoors and strong enough to rattle dishes and windows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Croteau, 38, could see water engulfing the windows as attendants rushed to assist travelers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

It features floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame the majestic views, as well as a cozy marble fireplace and vaulted ceiling.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

Vegetable wagons rolled by, kicking up more dust on both the windows and me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu