stained glass

American  

noun

1. glass that has been colored, enameled, painted, or stained, especially by having pigments baked onto its surface or by having various metallic oxides fused into it, as used in church windows, decorative lampshades, etc.

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stained glass British  

noun

1. 1. glass that has been coloured in any of various ways, as by fusing with a film of metallic oxide or burning pigment into the surface, used esp for church windows

   2. ( as modifier )

      a stained-glass window

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Other Word Forms

• stained-glass adjective

Etymology

Origin of stained glass

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Looming over the colorless town is its hulking circa-1385 monastery, extended in convent courtyards and stately chapels with lofty naves, offering dazzling displays of stained glass.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Tuna used pieces of glass from what he estimates are about 15 different salvaged stained glass windows from decommissioned churches.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

There’s even a mini chapel — yes, a chapel — complete with stained glass windows initially designed by children, for those who need a meditative break from running the grounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

“One must go to stained glass for such color resonance.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Wan shafts of dawn light diffused through stained glass, throwing color onto shelves of gleaming glass and copper.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor