storm glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “storm glass” mean?
A sealed glass tube containing a mixture of chemicals, historically believed to predict weather changes through the formation of crystalline structures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sealed glass tube containing a mixture of chemicals, historically believed to predict weather changes through the formation of crystalline structures.
A decorative or historical meteorological instrument; a curiosity representing early attempts at weather forecasting; sometimes used metaphorically for something that appears to predict or react to atmospheric or situational changes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. The concept is historical and niche, with no regional variation in term application.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes historical science, maritime tradition, and antique curiosity. May imply pseudo-science or decorative art.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency term in both regions, found primarily in historical texts, niche collecting, and decorative object descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “storm glass” in a Sentence
The storm glass indicates [weather condition].According to the storm glass, [prediction].A change in the storm glass suggests [atmospheric change].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in context of selling antique scientific instruments or decorative curios.
Academic
Used in history of science, maritime history, or material culture studies discussing pre-modern forecasting tools.
Everyday
Virtually unused. Might appear in hobbies related to antiques or steampunk decor.
Technical
Used in descriptive catalogs of historical meteorological instruments or in discussions of pseudo-scientific historical practices.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “storm glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “storm glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “storm glass”
- Using 'storm glass' to refer to reinforced glass for windows in storms (that is 'storm window' or 'impact-resistant glass').
- Treating it as a plural noun (*storm glasses).
- Confusing it with a barometer (which measures pressure, not chemical crystallization).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its predictive capability is not scientifically validated. The crystal formations are influenced by temperature and potentially other factors, but they do not reliably forecast specific weather events.
Admiral Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle and founder of the UK Meteorological Office, distributed and championed their use among sailors in the mid-19th century.
A mixture typically includes distilled water, ethanol, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and camphor, sealed in a glass tube.
No, it is a very low-frequency, niche term used mainly by collectors, historians, and enthusiasts of vintage or steampunk-style decor.
A sealed glass tube containing a mixture of chemicals, historically believed to predict weather changes through the formation of crystalline structures.
Storm glass is usually formal / technical / historical in register.
Storm glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːm ˌɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːrm ˌɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a glass that storms inside it—crystals form like a miniature weather system within the tube.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STORM GLASS IS A CRYSTAL BALL FOR THE WEATHER: an opaque, mysterious object believed to reveal future atmospheric states.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function historically associated with a storm glass?