1
: suggestive of ice: such as
a
: extremely cold : frigid
a glacial wind
b
: devoid of warmth and cordiality
a glacial handshake
c
: coldly imperturbable
maintained a glacial calm
2
: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals
glacial acetic acid
3
a(1)
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present
(2)
capitalized
: pleistocene
b
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
c
: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers
progress on the bill has been glacial
Examples of glacial in a Sentence
Progress on the bill has been glacial.
a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
The project feeds on the temporary abundance of glacial meltwater.
—
Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Overkill, glacial history, and the extinction of North America’s Ice Age megafauna
The University of Adeliade.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
This rich, moisturizer-like mask (which bills itself as a balm-to-oil formulation) also contains glacial glycoproteins that hydrate the skin for a smoother, plumper feel in the morning.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
Don’t pass on the excursions to visit glacial outwash plains laced with braided streams and speckled with stones ground smooth by ice, wind, and water.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
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Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Overkill, glacial history, and the extinction of North America’s Ice Age megafauna
The University of Adeliade.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
This rich, moisturizer-like mask (which bills itself as a balm-to-oil formulation) also contains glacial glycoproteins that hydrate the skin for a smoother, plumper feel in the morning.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Apr. 2025
Don’t pass on the excursions to visit glacial outwash plains laced with braided streams and speckled with stones ground smooth by ice, wind, and water.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glacial
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glacial
adjective
gla·cial
ˈglā-shəl 
1
a
: extremely cold : frigid
b
: lacking warmth of feeling
2
a
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
b
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers
c
capitalized
: pleistocene
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