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
Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Floor-to-ceiling windows open to panoramic mountain views, best enjoyed from a brass tub or a wraparound deck complete with a plunge pool and lounge chairs (keep an eye out for the occasional giraffe passing by).
—Melanie Van Zyl, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025
Airstrikes hit Iran’s ballistic-missile facilities and its nuclear-enrichment site Natanz along with other targets, while further precision operations (reportedly involving the Mossad) took out top Iranian military brass along with nuclear scientists.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025
City leaders, police brass and friends described her as a hard worker with an independent streak who loved her job.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
Expect Murano chandeliers, mirrors by Sogni di Cristallo, custom Pierre Frey fabrics, and minibars disguised as brass elephants shipped over from Jaipur.
—Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Floor-to-ceiling windows open to panoramic mountain views, best enjoyed from a brass tub or a wraparound deck complete with a plunge pool and lounge chairs (keep an eye out for the occasional giraffe passing by).
—Melanie Van Zyl, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025
Airstrikes hit Iran’s ballistic-missile facilities and its nuclear-enrichment site Natanz along with other targets, while further precision operations (reportedly involving the Mossad) took out top Iranian military brass along with nuclear scientists.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025
City leaders, police brass and friends described her as a hard worker with an independent streak who loved her job.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
Cite this Entry
“Brass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brass. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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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