glasnost

[ glaz-nost, glahz‑; Russian glahs-nuhst ]

noun

1. the declared public policy within the Soviet Union of openly and frankly discussing economic and political realities: initiated under Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985.

glasnost

/ ˈɡlæsˌnɒst /

noun

1. the policy of public frankness and accountability developed in the former Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail gorbachev

glasnost

1. A Russian word meaning “openness,” which describes the policy of Mikhail Gorbachev , premier of the former Soviet Union . The term refers to a general loosening of government control on all aspects of life in the Soviet Union, even to the point of permitting criticism of government policies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of glasnost¹

First recorded in 1980–85, glasnost is from the Russian word glásnost' literally, publicity (taken to mean openness)

Word History and Origins

Origin of glasnost¹

C20: Russian, literally: openness

Example Sentences

It was the era of glasnost and perestroika.

From Los Angeles Times

His restructuring and openness — perestroika and glasnost — of the late 1980s led to the dismantling of the Soviet Union and, peacefully and fleetingly, brought a divided Europe together in liberty.

From New York Times

Formally registered in 1989 in the years of glasnost under Mikhail Gorbachev, Memorial has made it its mission to preserve the memory of Joseph Stalin’s repressions and to defend human rights today.

From Washington Post

By that time, Khrushchev had been dead for 19 years, and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had ushered in a period of glasnost, or openness.

From Washington Post

This proved effective in sparking Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's social and political reforms of the late 1980s, best known by the Russian word "glasnost," or "openness."

From Salon

Related Words

• directness
• fairness
• frankness
• honesty
• outspokenness
• probity
• simplicity
• sincerity
• truthfulness