hourglass

1 of 2

noun

hour·​glass ˈau̇(-ə)r-ˌglas How to pronounce hourglass (audio)
: an instrument for measuring time consisting of a glass vessel having two compartments from the upper of which a quantity of usually sand runs in an hour into the lower one

Illustration of hourglass

Illustration of hourglass

hourglass

2 of 2

adjective

: shaped like an hourglass
an hourglass figure

Examples of hourglass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This fit is particularly adored by those with hourglass figures — one of our testers even raved about it. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024 The ultimate prop was the pirate flag, which could be decorated with a skull and crossbones (as in the classic Jolly Roger design), bleeding hearts, hourglasses, spears, cutlasses and skeletons. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hourglass 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hourglass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1515, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hourglass was circa 1515

Dictionary Entries Near hourglass

Cite this Entry

“Hourglass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hourglass. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

hourglass

noun
hour·​glass
ˈȧu(ə)r-ˌglas
: an instrument for measuring time in which usually sand runs from the upper part to the lower part of a glass container in an hour
hourglass adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hourglass

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