window
pronunciation
How to pronounce window in British English:
UK [ˈwɪndəʊ]
How to pronounce window in American English:
US [ˈwɪndoʊ]
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- Noun:
- a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
- a transparent opening in a vehicle that allow vision out of the sides or back; usually is capable of being opened
- a transparent panel (as of an envelope) inserted in an otherwise opaque material
- an opening that resembles a window in appearance or function
- the time period that is considered best for starting or finishing something
- a pane in a window
- an opening in the wall of a building (usually to admit light and air)
- (computer science) a rectangular part of a computer screen that contains a display different from the rest of the screen
Word Origin
- window
- window: [13] A window is etymologically a ‘wind-eye’ – that is, an ‘eye’-like opening for admitting the air. The word was borrowed from Old Norse vindauga, a compound noun formed from vindr ‘wind’ and auga ‘eye’. Danish vindue is descended from the Old Norse form, which was also taken over by Irish as fuinneog.=> eye, wind
- window (n.)
- c. 1200, literally "wind eye," from Old Norse vindauga, from vindr "wind" (see wind (n.1)) + auga "eye" (see eye (n.)). Replaced Old English eagþyrl, literally "eye-hole," and eagduru, literally "eye-door." Originally an unglazed hole in a roof, most Germanic languages adopted a version of Latin fenestra to describe the glass version (such as German Fenster, Swedish fönster), and English used fenester as a parallel word till mid-16c. Window dressing is first recorded 1790; figurative sense is from 1898. Window seat is attested from 1778. Window of opportunity (1979) is from earlier figurative use in U.S. space program, such as launch window (1963). Window-shopping is recorded from 1904. "Window shopping, according to the women, is the king of outdoor sports. Whenever a woman gets down town and has 2 or 3 hours and no money to spend, she goes window shopping. She gives the Poiret gowns and the thousand dollar furs the double O and then kids herself into believing she'd look like Lillian Russell or Beverly Bayne if she had 'em on. It's great for developing the imagination and one of the great secrets of conserving the bankroll. ..." ["Motor Age," Jan. 27, 1916]
Example
- 1. Facebook 's very recognizable modal window .
- 2. I eat standing up at the kitchen window .
- 3. They walk by a big store window .
- 4. We saw a handbag in a shop window .
- 5. We want to see the view from your window .