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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
However, spending an hourglass boosts your stamina and shortens the wait time. PCMAG, 1 Nov. 2024 On October 19, Gomez hit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' red carpet wearing a stunning velvet navy Alaïa gown featuring an hourglass silhouette, deep scoop neckline, and black leather peek-a-boo bustier, once again bucking archaic fashion rules about the controversial color combo. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
And yet, her body, designed by a man, had a waist equivalent to 18 inches on a real woman; an impossibly thin figure made even more so by her zaftig 39-inch bust and 33-inch hourglass hip measurement. Kate Branch, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2018 Her bright blouse and pants clung to her thick, hourglass figure. Aya De Leon, The Root, 22 Apr. 2018 See all Example Sentences for hourglass 

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 28 Nov. 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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