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

See Examples For:

stained glass

According to legend, Mallory climbed the church tower at the age of seven and there are numerous stained glass windows in memory of members of his family.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

He did etchings, lithographs, even stained glass windows - equally at home working with the grandeur of opera design and the intimacy of pen and ink.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

Their wings deserve a close inspection, as the translucent curved fixtures are inspired by stained glass windows.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

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

The shelves are mountains scaling the walls, tapering toward a sky of stained glass.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton