mass in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; 'Mass' (religious) is formal/proper noun.
Quick answer
What does “mass in” mean?
A large body of matter with no definite shape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large body of matter with no definite shape; a large number of people or things gathered together.
In physics, the quantity of matter in a body; in religion, the celebration of the Eucharist (often capitalized); as an adjective, involving or affecting large numbers of people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The religious service 'Mass' is common in both, associated with Catholic and Anglican traditions.
Connotations
Neutral for physical/scientific sense; solemn/religious for 'Mass'.
Frequency
High frequency in general and scientific contexts; medium frequency for the religious term.
Grammar
How to Use “mass in” in a Sentence
N of N (a mass of clouds)ADJ mass (the critical mass)V mass (to mass troops)Mass N (Mass communication)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mass in” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- A dark mass loomed on the horizon.
- The protesters formed a dense mass in the square.
- She attends Mass every Sunday.
American English
- The asteroid's mass was calculated by NASA.
- A mass of voters turned out for the primary.
- He went to Mass at the cathedral.
verb
British English
- Troops began to mass at the border.
- Clouds were massing in the west.
American English
- Protesters plan to mass in front of the capitol.
- Birds massed for their southern migration.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Mass marketing targets broad consumer bases.
Academic
Scientists calculated the planet's mass.
Everyday
A mass of paperwork covered the desk.
Technical
The law of conservation of mass is fundamental.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mass in”
- Using 'mass' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three masses of people' is unusual).
- Confusing 'mass' with 'mess' in spelling/pronunciation.
- Not capitalising 'Mass' when referring to the religious service.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable when meaning 'bulk' or 'large quantity' (e.g., 'a mass of'). It becomes countable in specific scientific contexts (e.g., 'calculate the masses of particles') or when referring to distinct large bodies (e.g., 'land masses'). The religious 'Mass' can be countable (e.g., 'three Masses were celebrated').
In physics, 'mass' is the amount of matter in an object (constant), while 'weight' is the force exerted on that mass by gravity (varies with location). In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably, which is inaccurate scientifically.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to assemble or gather in large numbers'. It is often used for troops, crowds, or clouds (e.g., 'Demonstrators massed in the park').
A 'crowd' is specifically a large group of people gathered closely together. 'Mass' is broader and more abstract; it can refer to people, objects, or matter, and emphasises the collective whole rather than the gathering itself (e.g., 'a mass of data', 'a crowd of fans').
A large body of matter with no definite shape.
Mass in is usually neutral to formal; 'mass' (religious) is formal/proper noun. in register.
Mass in: in British English it is pronounced /mæs/, and in American English it is pronounced /mæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A mass of contradictions”
- “In the mass”
- “The masses (ordinary people)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a massive **mass** of glass - both have 'ass' in the middle and imply something large and solid.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE / IMPORTANCE IS SIZE (e.g., 'a mass of evidence', 'massive problem').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Mass' typically capitalized?