Definition of “window” - English Dictionary

American
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“window” in English

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windownoun

uk ​ /ˈwɪn.dəʊ/ us ​ /ˈwɪn.doʊ/

window noun (GLASS)

A1 [ C ] a space usually filled with glass in the wall of a building or in a vehicle, to allow light and air in and to allow people inside the building to see out:

Is it all right if I open/close the window?
He caught me staring out of the window.
I saw a child's face at the window.
She has some wonderful plants in the window (= on a surface at the bottom of the window).
I was admiring the cathedral's stained-glass windows.
Have you paid the window cleaner (= person whose job is to clean the outside of windows)?
window frames
a window ledge

› [ S ] literary something that makes it possible for you to see and learn about a situation or experience that is different from your own:

The film provides a window on the immigrant experience.

› [ C ] a transparent rectangle on the front of an envelope, through which you can read the address written on the letter inside

› [ C ] the decorative arrangement of goods behind the window at the front of a shop, in addition to the window itself:

How much is the jacket in the window?
The shop windows are wonderful around Christmas time.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

go out (of) the window

(Definition of “window” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“window” in American English

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windownoun [ C ]

us ​ /ˈwɪn·doʊ/

window noun [ C ] (OPENING)

› an opening in the wall of a building or vehicle, usually covered with glass, to let light and air in and to allow people inside to see out:

to open/close a window
From her bedroom window she could see a lovely garden.

› In a store, a window is the large glass-covered front behind which goods for sale are usually shown:

We walked along Fifth Avenue, looking in the shop windows.

› A window is also a period when there is an unusual opportunity to do something:

If a window of opportunity presents itself, I’d be a fool not to take advantage of it.

window noun [ C ] (COMPUTER)

› an area of a computer screen that shows a particular type of information

(Definition of “window” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“window” in Business English

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windownoun [ C ]

uk ​ /ˈwɪndəʊ/ us ​

› IT one of the separate areas that can be opened and moved around on a computer screen to use particular programs:

The information appeared in a new window.
click on/close/open a window
maximize/minimize/move a window
enlarge/reduce a window
Compare
tab noun

› a short period in between other activities when there is an opportunity to do something:

I have a window on Thursday morning, so we could meet then.
The difficult economic conditions provide a window of opportunity for longterm investors.

› COMMERCE the large area of glass at the front of a store behind which goods are displayed:

Could I try on the dress in the window?
Stores don't tend to put anything above a size 8 in their window displays.

See also

discount window
drive-up window

(Definition of “window” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of “window”
 
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