1
: an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions
2
a
: the brass instruments of an orchestra or band
—often used in plural
b
: a usually brass memorial tablet
c
: bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments
d
: empty cartridge shells
3
: brazen self-assurance : gall
4
singular or plural in construction
a
: high-ranking members of the military
b
: persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)
1
: made of brass
a brass cannon
see also brass ring, brass tacks
2
: made up of or composed for brass musical instruments
the band's brass section
see also brass band
Examples of brass in a Sentence
Noun
a candlestick made of brass
The whole orchestra—the strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass—began to play.
The brasses began to play.
polishing the brass and the silver
Recent Examples on the Web
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
Washington originally wrote the address beside a brass candlestand, which was passed down through his family until 1878, when it was transferred to the United States government and then, a few years later, to the Smithsonian.
—
Lonnie G. Bunch Iii,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2026
Presenting to the market for the first time, her experiments with borosilicate glass create surprising effects, including a brass-like finish or the Space Oddity collection with its ethereal colorways.
—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Judging by Anderson's snaps, Stalter appears to have Mary Todd's bratty brass down pat.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
The old temples of Tamil Nadu are a treasure-trove of forms incised on stone or magicked from brass, and lavished daily with fruit and flowers, incense and sandalwood, music and light.
—
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 July 2026
Washington originally wrote the address beside a brass candlestand, which was passed down through his family until 1878, when it was transferred to the United States government and then, a few years later, to the Smithsonian.
—
Lonnie G. Bunch Iii,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2026
Presenting to the market for the first time, her experiments with borosilicate glass create surprising effects, including a brass-like finish or the Space Oddity collection with its ethereal colorways.
—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Judging by Anderson's snaps, Stalter appears to have Mary Todd's bratty brass down pat.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for brass
Cite this Entry
“Brass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brass. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brass
noun1
: an alloy containing copper and zinc
2
: the reddish yellow color of brass
3
: the brass instruments of a band or orchestra
—often used in plural
4
: bright metal ornaments, fixtures, or utensils
5
: bold self-assurance : gall
6
: high-ranking officers especially in the armed forces
brass
adjective
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