noun
brass
brahs
noun
1
A yellowish metal alloy made from copper and zinc, used for fittings, instruments, and ornaments.
"The door handles were made of polished brass."
"Brass tarnishes over time unless it's regularly cleaned."
2
Wind instruments made of metal, such as trumpets and trombones, or the section of a band playing them.
"The brass came in loudly during the final chorus."
3
Informal: senior officers or high-ranking officials.
"The top brass wanted the project finished by Friday."
How to Use Brass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA copper-zinc metal, the horn section of a band, or (informally) senior bosses.
Common pairings
brass band
brass instrument
top brass
polished brass
Word Forms
more brass comparative, brassed past tense, brasses plural, brasses plural, brasses plural, brasses singular, most brass superlative
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The door handles were made of polished _____.