brass
any of various metal alloys consisting mainly of copper and zinc.
a utensil, ornament, or other article made of such an alloy.
Music.
brass instruments collectively in a band or orchestra.
metallic yellow; lemon, amber, or reddish yellow.
Informal.
high-ranking military officers.
any very important officials.
Informal. excessive self-assurance; impudence; effrontery.
Machinery. a replaceable semicylindrical shell, usually of bronze, used with another such to line a bearing; a half bushing.
British. a memorial tablet or plaque, often incised with an effigy, coat of arms, or the like.
Furniture. any piece of ornamental or functional hardware, as a drawer pull, made of brass.
British Slang. money.
of, made of, or pertaining to brass.
composed for or using musical instruments made of brass.
having the color brass.
Origin of brass
1Other words for brass
Other words from brass
- brassish, adjective
Words Nearby brass
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use brass in a sentence
A small group of vanguard companies have proven that it’s possible for every employee to enjoy the fruits of ownership—for everyone at work to be a self-managing “micropreneur” blessed with autonomy and a shot at the brass ring.
The biggest problem with capitalism? Not enough capitalists | jakemeth | November 21, 2020 | FortuneFor the previous 28 years of the competition, finalists of Brandstorm have presented their pitches in person to members of the company’s top brass in Paris.
‘Focus on quality over quantity’: Why companies like L’Oreal are now aiming to use virtual events for recruiting | Kristina Monllos | November 9, 2020 | DigidayThis sprinkler features 20 precision brass nozzles for gentle and even coverage of up to 3,600 square feet.
For the theremin’s 100th anniversary, Moog unveils the gorgeous Claravox Centennial — With a walnut cabinet, brass antennas and a plethora of wonderful knobs and dials, the Claravox looks like it emerged from a prewar recording studio.
With a walnut cabinet, brass antennas and a plethora of wonderful knobs and dials, the Claravox looks like it emerged from a prewar recording studio, as indeed is the intention.
For the theremin’s 100th anniversary, Moog unveils the gorgeous Claravox Centennial | Devin Coldewey | October 22, 2020 | TechCrunch
But that project ran into serious hurdles with the network brass.
Life After ‘Winter’s Bone’: Debra Granik on Finding J. Law and the Plight of the Female Director | Marlow Stern | October 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo maybe we should take a lesson from women with brass ovaries: comedy and feminism are longstanding bedfellows.
But even as he was receiving awards, the military brass was processing his discharge—they had found out he was transgender.
Yes to LGB, No to T: The Pentagon Still Has a Transgender Ban | Tim Mak | October 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTViolation of gravitas is being taken ‘extremely seriously’ by army top brass, source says.
Hunt To Identify Pirouetting 'Bearskin' Guardsman Who Shamed Army | Tom Sykes | September 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA source said that while the video may be entertaining, the incident is being taken ‘extremely seriously’ by army top brass.
Hunt To Identify Pirouetting 'Bearskin' Guardsman Who Shamed Army | Tom Sykes | September 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey were provided with sails and twelve oars each, and a falconet, or small brass cannon.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell"I wonder if 'twas a brass drum, such as has 'Eblubust Unum' printed on't," said Mrs. Slocum.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousPicture frames, nicely moulded in brass, were made here in 1825, by a modeller named Maurice Garvey.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter ShowellThe air was heavy with the perfume of frankincense which smouldered in a brass vessel set upon a tray.
Dope | Sax RohmerLatten, the term given to thin sheets of brass, was formerly applied to sheets of tinned iron.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
British Dictionary definitions for brass
/ (brɑːs) /
an alloy of copper and zinc containing more than 50 per cent of copper. Alpha brass (containing less than 35 per cent of zinc) is used for most engineering materials requiring forging, pressing, etc Alpha-beta brass (35–45 per cent zinc) is used for hot working and extrusion. Beta brass (45–50 per cent zinc) is used for castings. Small amounts of other metals, such as lead or tin, may be added: Compare bronze (def. 1)
an object, ornament, or utensil made of brass
the large family of wind instruments including the trumpet, trombone, French horn, etc, each consisting of a brass tube blown directly by means of a cup- or funnel-shaped mouthpiece
(sometimes functioning as plural) instruments of this family forming a section in an orchestra
(as modifier): a brass ensemble
a renewable sleeve or bored semicylindrical shell made of brass or bronze, used as a liner for a bearing
(functioning as plural) informal important or high-ranking officials, esp military officers: the top brass See also brass hat
Northern English dialect money: where there's muck, there's brass!
British an engraved brass memorial tablet or plaque, set in the wall or floor of a church
informal bold self-confidence; cheek; nerve: he had the brass to ask for more time
slang a prostitute
(modifier) of, consisting of, or relating to brass or brass instruments: a brass ornament; a brass band
Origin of brass
1Other words from brass
- Related adjective: brazen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for brass
[ brăs ]
A yellowish alloy of copper and zinc, usually 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc. It sometimes includes small amounts of other metals. Brass is strong, ductile, and resistant to many forms of corrosion.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for brass
Musical instruments traditionally made of brass and played by blowing directly into a small, cup-shaped mouthpiece. They include the French horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with brass
In addition to the idioms beginning with brass
- brass hat
- brass ring
also see:
- bold as brass
- double in brass
- get down to brass tacks
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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