brass

n. a bright yellow metal made by mixing copper and zinc.

n. a metallic alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc. Uncountable in its material sense.

“The door had a heavy brass handle that shone in the sunlight.”

“The interior designer specified solid brass fixtures to provide a warm, traditional contrast against the modern marble surfaces.”

n. musical instruments made of metal that you blow into, like trumpets and trombones.

n. a family of wind instruments, typically made of metal, played by vibrating the lips against a mouthpiece. Often used as a collective noun for a section of an orchestra.

“The brass started playing a loud fanfare at the beginning of the parade.”

“The composer wrote a demanding part for the brass, requiring the trumpets to sustain high notes over the rest of the ensemble.”

n. the people in the highest positions of an organization, especially the military or a big company.

n. high-ranking officers or senior executives within a hierarchy. Informal in register; often used collectively as 'the top brass'.

“The top brass decided to close the factory despite the workers' protests.”

“After the failed operation, the military brass faced intense questioning from the parliamentary committee regarding their strategic oversight.”

Informal

n. a very confident attitude that might seem rude to others.

n. impudence, effrontery, or excessive self-assurance. Uncountable; often used in the phrase 'have the brass to'.

“I can't believe he had the brass to ask for a raise after being late every day.”

“She had the sheer brass to walk into the private event without an invitation and act as if she owned the venue.”

Informal

n. a slang word for money used in some parts of England.

n. a slang term for money. Primarily associated with Northern English dialects; increasingly dated in modern usage.

“He made a lot of brass selling old furniture at the market.”

“In the old industrial towns, the local saying was 'where there's muck, there's brass', meaning where there is dirt, there is money to be made.”

Dialect · British English · Informal

adj. made of the metal brass, or having its yellow color.

adj. composed of or pertaining to the alloy brass; exhibiting the characteristic yellow-gold color of the metal.

“She wore a brass ring that she bought at a craft fair.”

“The antique clock featured intricate brass gears that were still visible through the glass casing.”

v. to cover something with a thin layer of brass.

v. to coat or plate a surface with brass. Transitive; usually refers to industrial or decorative finishing processes.

“The manufacturer decided to brass the steel fittings to make them look more expensive.”

“The workshop was equipped to brass various hardware components, providing a corrosion-resistant finish that mimicked solid metal.”

Technical