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

He praised her "breadth of knowledge and passion" and called her "the ultimate breaker of the glass ceiling", adding: "She will be greatly missed and my sincere thoughts are with her family."

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

“There is still a glass ceiling ... I’m excited about new future where you don’t have to have done the job already to do it. All you need is the right support.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

But to many, Ley's glass ceiling looked an awful lot like a "glass cliff", and it felt like it was only a matter of time before she lost her grip and slipped off it.

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

The 48-year-old has plenty to ponder on whether he has hit a glass ceiling on Tyneside.

From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026

Former congresswoman Constance A. Morella recalled, “That glass ceiling is being shattered.”

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler