glass ceiling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal to neutral. Common in professional, academic, journalistic, and sociological contexts.
Quick answer
What does “glass ceiling” mean?
An unofficial but real barrier preventing certain groups, especially women and minorities, from advancing to higher positions in an organization or society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An unofficial but real barrier preventing certain groups, especially women and minorities, from advancing to higher positions in an organization or society.
A set of intangible obstacles within a professional hierarchy that limit advancement due to discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, or other characteristics, despite qualifications or achievements. The term describes a situation where the path to promotion appears clear ('glass') but an unacknowledged barrier ('ceiling') exists.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Universally carries connotations of systemic inequality, discrimination, and frustration. It is a politically and socially charged term.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the term's popularization in US corporate and feminist discourse in the late 20th century, but now very common in British English as well.
Grammar
How to Use “glass ceiling” in a Sentence
[Subject] faces/hits/encounters a glass ceiling in [field/organization].[Subject] breaks/shatters/pierces the glass ceiling.There is a glass ceiling for [group] in [context].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glass ceiling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is determined to glass-ceiling her way to the boardroom. (Informal/rare)
- The report examines how organisations glass-ceiling talented women. (Informal/rare)
American English
- The new policy aims to de-glass-ceiling the promotion process. (Informal/rare)
- They accused the firm of glass-ceilinging minority candidates. (Informal/rare)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- Glass-ceiling effects are still prevalent in the finance sector.
- They conducted a glass-ceiling audit of the company's leadership.
American English
- The lawsuit highlighted glass-ceiling issues within the tech giant.
- We need concrete glass-ceiling policies, not just talk.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR, diversity reports, and discussions about leadership demographics. 'The company's new initiative aims to shatter the glass ceiling for women in engineering.'
Academic
Common in sociology, gender studies, business, and political science papers analysing structural inequality.
Everyday
Used in news articles, opinion pieces, and discussions about workplace fairness and social justice.
Technical
Not a technical term in hard sciences; its use is confined to social sciences and humanities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glass ceiling”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glass ceiling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glass ceiling”
- Using it to describe any career setback (it must imply systemic discrimination).
- Using plural '*glass ceilings*' is rare and generally avoided.
- Confusing it with 'glass cliff' (where a person from a minority group is promoted to a precarious leadership position likely to fail).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While coined in the context of gender inequality, the term is now applied to any group facing systemic barriers to advancement based on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.
Yes, if the barrier is due to systemic discrimination against his demographic group (e.g., in female-dominated fields like nursing or primary education). However, the term is most frequently used regarding barriers faced by women and minorities.
A glass ceiling implies a pattern or systemic barrier affecting an entire group, not just an individual's failure to advance due to performance. It suggests the criteria for promotion are applied differently to different groups.
Not necessarily. While an individual can break through their personal barrier, the term often refers to the need to dismantle the systemic structure so that the path is open for others in their group, preventing the 'ceiling' from reforming.
An unofficial but real barrier preventing certain groups, especially women and minorities, from advancing to higher positions in an organization or society.
Glass ceiling is usually formal to neutral. common in professional, academic, journalistic, and sociological contexts. in register.
Glass ceiling: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡlɑːs ˈsiːlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡlæs ˈsiːlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Break the glass ceiling (to overcome such a barrier).”
- “Crack in the glass ceiling (a sign the barrier is weakening).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a highly qualified person in an office. They can SEE the executive suite upstairs through a transparent GLASS floor/ceiling, but they cannot reach it because the glass, though clear, won't break. The visible but unreachable top is the GLASS CEILING.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARRIERS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS / CAREER ADVANCEMENT IS UPWARD MOVEMENT / DISCRIMINATION IS INVISIBILITY.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'glass ceiling' specifically imply?