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)
Glacial
: 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
Felton Road is located in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago and grows grapes in four vineyards planted on north-facing slopes comprised of glacial soils.
—
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
How, then, would a satire keep up, especially given the glacial pace of publishing?
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
With Andy, Miranda, Nigel (Tucci) and Emily (Blunt) all grown up, so are their fans, many of whom are now headed to theaters at a not-so-glacial speed.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Depending on the era, the ground beneath your feet could be a tropical seabed, a toxic volcanic wasteland, or a glacial shelf.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glacial
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Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
How, then, would a satire keep up, especially given the glacial pace of publishing?
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
With Andy, Miranda, Nigel (Tucci) and Emily (Blunt) all grown up, so are their fans, many of whom are now headed to theaters at a not-so-glacial speed.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Depending on the era, the ground beneath your feet could be a tropical seabed, a toxic volcanic wasteland, or a glacial shelf.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glacial
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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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