window

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An opening, usually covered by one or more panes of clear glass, to allow light and air from outside to enter a building or vehicle.
2. (countable, uncountable) An opening, usually covered by glass, in a shop which allows people to view the shop and its products from outside; a shop window.
3. (countable, uncountable) The shutter, casement, sash with its fittings, or other framework, which closes a window opening.
4. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) A period of time when something is available or possible; a limited opportunity.
5. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) Something that allows one to see through or into something
6. (countable, uncountable) A restricted range.
7. (countable, uncountable) A rectangular area on a computer terminal or screen containing some kind of user interface, displaying output and allowing input, often for a single task in a multitasking system.
8. (countable, uncountable) A figure formed of lines crossing each other.
9. (countable, uncountable) The time between first infection and detectability.
10. (historical, uncountable) Synonym of chaff (“strips of material intended to confuse radar”)
11. (countable, uncountable) A function multiplied with a signal to reduce spectral leakage when performing a Fourier transform.

Verb

1. (transitive) To furnish with windows.
2. (transitive) To place at or in a window.
3. (transitive) To apply a window function to (a signal).

Synonyms

windowpane

porthole

hole

🕳️

opening

hatch

casement

mirror

🪞

glass

door

🚪

aperture

lattice

wicket

crack

box office

fenestra

ticket window

gap

shop window

lookout

office

🏢

ticket-window

chaff

rope

🪢

counter

chimney

ticket office

bed

🛏️

lance

mould

notch

oriel

pad

pane

pass

pen

🖊️

pit

pockmarks

recess

rift

scuttle

selector

showcase

shutter

sidelight

sliding door

slit

slot

spear

storefront

trap door

Translations

fenêtre

🪟

Fenster

🪟

ventana

🪟

finestra

🪟

janela

🪟

venster

🪟

παράθυρο

raam

🪟

fenestra

🪟

pencere

🪟

finestra

🪟

شباك

fenèstra

نافذة

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɪndəʊ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: windowe

Cognate with Scots: windae

Cognate with Faroese: vindeyga

Cognate with Norwegian: vindu

Cognate with Danish: vindue

Cognate with Swedish: vindöga

Cognate with Elfdalian: windog

Cognate with German: Windauge

In summary

From Middle English wyndowe, wyndown, from Old Norse vindauga (“window”, literally “wind-eye; wind-hole”), equivalent to wind + eye. Cognate with Scots windae and windock, Faroese vindeyga, Norwegian Bokmål vindu, Norwegian Nynorsk vindauge, Danish vindue, archaic Swedish vindöga, Elfdalian windog. Displaced native Old English ēagþȳrel (literally “eye hole”) (the rare direct descendant is eyethurl (“window, pupil, etc.”)). The “windows” among early Germanic peoples were just unglazed holes (eyes) in the wall or roof that permitted wind to pass through .

Sentences

He came back to the window .

" I can clean up those glasses in the window , if you want ," said the boy .

She did laugh as she saw Heathcliff pass the window .