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

Taylor revolutionised the professional game and alongside her contemporaries, smashed through the glass ceiling and brought women's boxing to the pinnacle of the sport.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026

“We are starting to see the glass ceiling crack,” said Limón.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2026

Guards try to yank the calla lily down, but I push it to grow higher toward the glass ceiling.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton