glass ceiling

American  

[glas see-ling] / ˈglæs ˈsi lɪŋ /

noun

glass ceilings plural

1. an upper limit to professional advancement, especially as imposed upon women, minorities, and other nondominant groups, that is not readily perceived or openly acknowledged.

   It’s more difficult for women of color to break through the glass ceiling.

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glass ceiling British  

noun

1. a situation in which progress, esp promotion, appears to be possible but restrictions or discrimination create a barrier that prevents it

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glass ceiling Cultural  

1. An unacknowledged — and ultimately illegal — barrier to advancement, especially for women and people of color: “In many professions a woman cannot break through the glass ceiling to the upper level of management.” The term dates from the 1980s.

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glass ceiling Idioms  

1. An unacknowledged discriminatory barrier to advancement, especially for women and minorities. For example, Harriet knew she'd never be promoted—she would never get through the glass ceiling. [1980s]

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• glass ceilings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of glass ceiling

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

glass ceiling

"There is a real glass ceiling in large cities," added Blanche Leridon, director of French studies at the Paris-based Institut Montaigne.

From Barron's ● Mar. 23, 2026

“Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are the two most formative figures in the history of women’s MMA; they are the icons who shattered the glass ceiling and helped build the foundation this sport stands on.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 2026

“We all kind of broke this glass ceiling, and now sky’s the limit,” Chloe said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026

"It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling," said Lord Coe at the time.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025

When he didn’t say anything, she clasped her hands around her knees and looked up at the sky through the glass ceiling.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee