noun

pyrex

PY-reks

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Pyrex (noun) means a heat-resistant glass made with boron oxides, used for cookware and laboratory equipment. Example: “She slid the lasagna into a pyrex dish and put it in the oven.”

noun

A heat-resistant glass made with boron oxides, used for cookware and laboratory equipment.

"She slid the lasagna into a pyrex dish and put it in the oven."

"The lab bought extra pyrex beakers because they cope with sudden heating."

"Pyrex does not expand much when it gets hot, so it is safer for cooking than ordinary glass."

Any glass that can withstand high temperatures, especially the kind used for cooking.

"Grandma stores the leftovers in a pyrex bowl."

"Is this pyrex, or will it crack in the oven?"

How to use pyrex

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTough glass that can go in a hot oven or be heated in a lab without breaking.

When to use it

The lowercase form is often used loosely for any oven-safe glassware, not just the branded kind.

Memory tip

Use it as an uncountable noun and add a word such as dish or bowl when you mean an object.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

pyrex dish pyrex bowl pyrex beaker

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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?

She slid the lasagna into a _____ dish and put it in the oven.

Etymology

The word began as a trademark, Pyrex, and became a general word for heat-resistant glass. It is an example of a brand name turned into a common noun.

Origin: English

Frequently asked questions

What is pyrex made of?

Pyrex is a type of borosilicate glass, which has a high amount of boron oxides mixed into the molten glass. This lowers how much the glass expands when heated.

Is pyrex a brand name or a word for a type of glass?

It started as a brand name, Pyrex. People now also use the lowercase word for heat-resistant glass in general.

Is pyrex a countable noun?

No, it is uncountable when it means the glass itself. People usually say a pyrex dish or a piece of pyrex.

What is the meaning of pyrex?

"pyrex" (noun) means a heat-resistant glass made with boron oxides, used for cookware and laboratory equipment.