# glacier

/ˈɡɫeɪʃɝ/ (US) · /ɡlˈeɪʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glacier
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. river of ice

noun · CEFR B1

a very large mass of ice that moves slowly down a mountain or across land.

For teachers: a large body of ice which flows under its own mass, typically moving downhill or outward from a centre of accumulation.

- The hikers walked carefully across the surface of the glacier to see the blue ice.
- Climate scientists are monitoring the rate at which the glacier is retreating, as its melting contributes significantly to rising sea levels.

### 2. slow-moving thing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

something that moves or changes very slowly.

For teachers: a figurative reference to an entity, process, or person that moves at an exceptionally slow pace.

- The traffic was moving like a glacier during the morning rush hour.
- Progress on the new legislation has been moving like a glacier, with committee members debating every minor clause for weeks on end.

## Examples

- The glacier moves a few inches every day.
- Hikers must be careful of deep cracks in the ice when they walk across the glacier.
- As global temperatures rise, the rapid melting of mountain glaciers contributes significantly to rising sea levels and alters the freshwater supply for local communities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.