1
: an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions
2
a
: the brass instruments of an orchestra or band
—often used in plural
b
: a usually brass memorial tablet
c
: bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments
d
: empty cartridge shells
3
: brazen self-assurance : gall
4
singular or plural in construction
a
: high-ranking members of the military
b
: persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)
1
: made of brass
a brass cannon
see also brass ring, brass tacks
2
: made up of or composed for brass musical instruments
the band's brass section
see also brass band
Examples of brass in a Sentence
Noun
a candlestick made of brass
The whole orchestra—the strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass—began to play.
The brasses began to play.
polishing the brass and the silver
Recent Examples on the Web
Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
Giants brass had spent a lot more time with Sanders during the fall.
—Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
In the meantime, industrial brass casting users will have to pay more for imports, eating some of the costs and passing some along.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 20 July 2025
Starting point: Unless Barron winds up impressing the Broncos’ brass enough to toss him at nickel Week 1, McMillan is set to patrol the slot again for Denver for a third straight year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
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Noun
The metal, also known as German Silver—which A. Lange & Sohne famously uses for its plates and bridges instead of brass—is an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 July 2025
Giants brass had spent a lot more time with Sanders during the fall.
—Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2025
In the meantime, industrial brass casting users will have to pay more for imports, eating some of the costs and passing some along.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 20 July 2025
Starting point: Unless Barron winds up impressing the Broncos’ brass enough to toss him at nickel Week 1, McMillan is set to patrol the slot again for Denver for a third straight year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brass
Cite this Entry
“Brass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brass. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brass
noun1
: an alloy containing copper and zinc
2
: the reddish yellow color of brass
3
: the brass instruments of a band or orchestra
—often used in plural
4
: bright metal ornaments, fixtures, or utensils
5
: bold self-assurance : gall
6
: high-ranking officers especially in the armed forces
brass
adjective
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