1
: suggestive of ice: such as
a
: extremely cold : frigid
a glacial wind
b
: devoid of warmth and cordiality
a glacial handshake
c
: coldly imperturbable
maintained a glacial calm
2
: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals
glacial acetic acid
3
a(1)
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present
(2)
capitalized
: pleistocene
b
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
c
: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers
progress on the bill has been glacial
Examples of glacial in a Sentence
Progress on the bill has been glacial.
a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
The National Scenic Trail showcases glacial landscapes, charming towns, and year-round outdoor adventures.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
The summit brings heart-stopping views of glacial valleys, sky-high waterfalls plunging through the rocky cliffs, and cascades of water far below.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Scandinavia, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and north Asia all experienced record glacial melt, the report found.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Picture show Temperatures in Europe are increasing at twice the average global rate, speeding up glacial melts and threatening the continent's largest rivers.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
The summit brings heart-stopping views of glacial valleys, sky-high waterfalls plunging through the rocky cliffs, and cascades of water far below.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Scandinavia, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and north Asia all experienced record glacial melt, the report found.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Picture show Temperatures in Europe are increasing at twice the average global rate, speeding up glacial melts and threatening the continent's largest rivers.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glacial
adjective
gla·cial
ˈglā-shəl 
1
a
: extremely cold : frigid
b
: lacking warmth of feeling
2
a
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
b
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers
c
capitalized
: pleistocene
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