plate glass

American  

noun

1. a soda-lime-silica glass formed by rolling the hot glass into a plate that is subsequently ground and polished, used in large windows, mirrors, etc.

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plate glass British  

noun

1. glass formed into a thin sheet by rolling, used for windows

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Other Word Forms

• plate-glass adjective
• plateglass adjective

Etymology

Origin of plate glass

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Through 6-inch plate glass, I interviewed the rising star shortly after sheriff’s deputies raided his old apartment near LAX.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025

Amid the glittering, plate glass and steel skyscrapers of modern Doha, Hamas officials have been sitting down with Qatari diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work through the complex issue of hostage releases.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2023

After graduating high school, she worked in finance at a Pittsburgh plate glass company and would attend ballroom dancing events weekly, according to her family.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023

The little cottage is safer, as it happens, than the architectural marvels perched on the rocky seaward verges of Big Sur, one of which took a 50-foot wave straight through its plate glass window.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2023

A vertical wave of plate glass breaks against it.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood