sash

¹ American  

[sash] / sæʃ /

noun

1. a long band or scarf worn over one shoulder or around the waist, as by military officers as a part of the uniform or by women and children for ornament.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish or adorn with a sash.

   a dress sashed at the waist.

sash ² American  

[sash] / sæʃ /

noun

1. a fixed or movable framework, as in a window or door, in which panes of glass are set.

2. such frameworks collectively.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with sashes or with windows having sashes.

sash ¹ British  

/ sæʃ /

noun

1. a frame that contains the panes of a window or door

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verb

1. to furnish with a sash, sashes, or sash windows

sash ² British  

/ sæʃ /

noun

1. a long piece of ribbon, silk, etc, worn around the waist like a belt or over one shoulder, as a symbol of rank

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Other Word Forms

• sashless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sash¹

1585–95; dissimilated variant of shash (turban of ) muslin < Arabic shāsh

Origin of sash²

1675–85; back formation from sashes (plural), dissimilated variant of shashes chassis

Explanation

A sash is a wide band of fabric that either secures clothing around your waist or decorates a uniform. The sash on a small child's dress often ties in back with a large bow. A long dress's sash or a swashbuckling pirate's sash usually ties around the waist, while the sash on a soldier's uniform or a girl scout's outfit fastens across one shoulder. There's also a second meaning of sash — a sliding window frame, the part that holds the glass panes in place. This kind of sash is rooted in the French châssis, or "frame," while the clothing kind of sash comes from the Arabic shash, "muslin cloth."

Example Sentences

Diehard fan Sash Vee tells BBC Newsbeat the announcement was a "very nice surprise" and it's good to see the group "appreciating their beginnings".

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

While Rheinmetall is well placed to capitalize on rising military spending, its stock-market valuation depends on a lot of its ambitions coming to fruition, said Sash Tusa, an analyst at Agency Partners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

"If it does happen we're getting into bubble territory," said Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa.

From Reuters • Jun. 16, 2023

In the caption, one child says to the other: “We’re a great team, Sash — you with your small and large motor skills, me with my spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2023

I assayed to throw up the Sash, that I might longer watch his Progress, who was the great Work of my Hands, but would not lift.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson