glasnost: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “glasnost” mean?
A Soviet policy of the late 1980s promoting open discussion of political and social issues.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Soviet policy of the late 1980s promoting open discussion of political and social issues.
Any policy or atmosphere of increased openness, transparency, and frankness, especially in government or an organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Strongly connotes the Cold War era, Soviet politics, and historical analysis. It can be used with a slightly ironic or metaphorical tone in modern contexts (e.g., 'corporate glasnost').
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in historical, political, or journalistic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “glasnost” in a Sentence
glasnost in (the government/media)glasnost on (the issue/topic)glasnost about (the past/scandal)glasnost of (the Gorbachev era)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glasnost” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The word is not used as a verb]
American English
- [The word is not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [The word is not used as an adverb]
American English
- [The word is not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [The word is not used as an adjective]
American English
- [The word is not used as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear metaphorically to describe a new culture of transparency in corporate communications.
Academic
Common in historical, political science, and Soviet/Russian studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare; would be understood mainly by those familiar with 20th-century history.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of specific historical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glasnost”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glasnost”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glasnost”
- Using it as a synonym for any minor policy change.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈɡlæsnoʊst/ (with a long 'o').
- Spelling as 'glassnost'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a loanword from Russian fully naturalised in English, found in major English dictionaries.
You can, but it would be a metaphorical, somewhat literary, or ironic usage. Terms like 'transparency' or 'open culture' are more standard in business English.
Glasnost referred to 'openness' in political and cultural discussion. Perestroika meant 'restructuring' of the economic and political system. They were complementary reform policies.
In British English: /ˈɡlæznɒst/ (GLAAZ-nost). In American English: /ˈɡlɑːznəst/ (GLAHZ-nuhst). The first syllable rhymes with 'glass' (UK) or 'glaze' (US).
A Soviet policy of the late 1980s promoting open discussion of political and social issues.
Glasnost is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms feature this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GLASS-nost' – imagine looking through clear GLASS at the NOSTalgic past, now made transparent.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A CONTAINER; openness is removing the lid or making the walls transparent.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'glasnost' most accurately used?