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

Built on the site of Andrew Jackson’s headquarters in the War of 1812 and replete with marble staircases and stained glass, the hotel dates to 1908.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 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

"It feels like somewhere we're not supposed to be," Libby adds, looking around at the statues and stained glass.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Exiting Raffles onto the busy road, I noticed across the street the spire of a snow-white Gothic chapel with stained glass windows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

The chapel was dim except for a few high chandeliers and the permanent glow of the rich hues of the stained glass windows.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat