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

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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

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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

See Examples For:

sash

Video showed a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

Or the commemorative sash from George Washington’s inauguration?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

The upper part was left plain "so that the presidential sash would stand out," recalled Trujillo.

From Barron's ● Jan. 2, 2026

Wearing an official sash and star of office, he reaffirmed his commitment to change.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025

Her armor is varying shades of blue as well, from oceanic to berry, with her green sash cutting across the breastplate.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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