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
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
The team kept the original wooden floors, exposed terracotta brickwork, and ceiling beams alongside brass, iron, and stone details.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
As for finishes, nearly any color (brass, gold, silver, and black) can complement the color palette if the style isn’t too contemporary.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
The military brass, the intelligence services, and the DOJ are now curated exclusively to the right wing.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
On Paramount’s storied lot in 2018, studio brass and partner Skydance gave the go-ahead for Tom Cruise to make two more Mission: Impossible movies following the massive success of Fallout.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
The team kept the original wooden floors, exposed terracotta brickwork, and ceiling beams alongside brass, iron, and stone details.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
As for finishes, nearly any color (brass, gold, silver, and black) can complement the color palette if the style isn’t too contemporary.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
The military brass, the intelligence services, and the DOJ are now curated exclusively to the right wing.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 18 May 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 10 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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