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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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]

---

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

Clarke is convinced he and his players have learned from those experiences and are now in a position to "break that glass ceiling" by progressing to a historic knockout tie.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

But in Sacramento, within the governor’s suite, California’s highest glass ceiling remains firmly intact.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 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

“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

The sun pours into this central atrium from a pyramid-shaped glass ceiling, flooding the place with light.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu