- a situation in which progress, esp promotion, appears to be possible but restrictions or discrimination create a barrier that prevents it
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈglass ˈceil•ing, n. [countable* usually singular]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- an unacknowledged barrier to advancing to the highest positions in a profession, esp. as imposed upon women.
glass′ ceil′ing,
- an upper limit to professional advancement, esp. as imposed upon women, that is not readily perceived or openly acknowledged.
- 1985–90
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
glass ceiling n
'glass ceiling' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):