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

“Breaking that glass ceiling, that’s special to me,” Ng said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

"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

“We’re not there yet, but that glass ceiling that’s cracking is opening doors.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2026

She's the astronaut who smashed through the glass ceiling.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2025

The weapon was headed for the glass ceiling.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee