stained glass

American  

noun

1. glass that has been colored, enameled, painted, or stained, especially by having pigments baked onto its surface or by having various metallic oxides fused into it, as used in church windows, decorative lampshades, etc.

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stained glass British  

noun

1. 1. glass that has been coloured in any of various ways, as by fusing with a film of metallic oxide or burning pigment into the surface, used esp for church windows

   2. ( as modifier )

      a stained-glass window

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Other Word Forms

• stained-glass adjective

Etymology

Origin of stained glass

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Built on the site of Andrew Jackson’s headquarters in the War of 1812 and replete with marble staircases and stained glass, the hotel dates to 1908.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

“One must go to stained glass for such color resonance.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

A few have Asian-inspired elements like flared or upturned columns or dormers, while others incorporate floral motifs and stained glass.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

A few gorgeous floral stencils, small sculptures and a stained glass window remain from Lloyd’s work in the auditorium of the former South Pasadena elementary school, which closed to students in 1979.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

There was a big splotch of orange on her face from the stained glass and a splotch of green lighting up one of her many curls.

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo