noun

glasnost

GLAZ-nost

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Glasnost (noun) means a historical Soviet policy of greater government openness and transparency, introduced under Gorbachev in the 1980s and early 1990s alongside the reform of perestroika. Example: “Glasnost allowed Soviet newspapers to report more freely on state affairs.”

noun

historical A historical Soviet policy of greater government openness and transparency, introduced under Gorbachev in the 1980s and early 1990s alongside the reform of perestroika.

"Glasnost allowed Soviet newspapers to report more freely on state affairs."

"Historians link glasnost with the loosening of censorship in the late Soviet period."

"Gorbachev introduced glasnost alongside his wider reform programme."

How to use glasnost

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGlasnost was the Soviet Union's policy of being more open about government matters.

When to use it

Glasnost is a historical term, used mainly when discussing Soviet-era politics and history.

Memory tip

Treat glasnost as the name of a specific historical policy rather than a general word meaning openness.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

the policy of glasnost glasnost and perestroika an era of glasnost introduced glasnost

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ allowed Soviet newspapers to report more freely on state affairs.

Etymology

Glasnost was borrowed directly from the Russian word гла́сность (glásnostʹ), meaning openness. English took the word over unchanged to describe the specific Soviet policy of the 1980s.

Origin: Russian

Frequently asked questions

What does glasnost mean?

Glasnost was a Soviet policy of greater openness and government transparency, introduced under Gorbachev in the 1980s and early 1990s.

How is glasnost related to perestroika?

The two policies were introduced together under Gorbachev, with glasnost covering openness and transparency while perestroika covered economic restructuring.

Is glasnost still a current policy?

No, glasnost is a historical term describing a specific Soviet-era policy rather than an ongoing one.

What is the meaning of glasnost?

"glasnost" (noun) means a historical Soviet policy of greater government openness and transparency, introduced under Gorbachev in the 1980s and early 1990s alongside the reform of perestroika.