water glass

American  

Or waterglass

noun

1. a drinking glass; tumbler.

2. a glass container for holding water, as for growing bulbs, plants, or the like.

3. a glass tube used to indicate water level, as in a boiler.

4. a device for observing objects beneath the surface of the water, consisting essentially of an open tube or box with a glass bottom.

5. sodium silicate.

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water glass British  

noun

1. a viscous syrupy solution of sodium silicate in water: used as a protective coating for cement and a preservative, esp for eggs

2. another name for water clock water gauge

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Etymology

Origin of water glass

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

On his way, he spots a stray napkin and a water glass out of place.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2025

These connections, called neuromuscular junctions, are how the brain signals muscles to contract, allowing us to pick up a water glass, jog to the mailbox or hoist a toddler into a car seat.

From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2023

Arrange the potatoes on the prepared sheet and, using the bottom of a water glass so you don’t touch the hot potatoes with your hands, flatten the potatoes.

From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2022

My water glass slid through my sweaty fingers, crashing to the floor.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2021

Brannon, now bound to play out whatever mad charade that Odum wished, dutifully and with utmost gravity began to consume his cigar after he had carefully extinguished it in his water glass.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy