1
: suggestive of ice: such as
a
: extremely cold : frigid
a glacial wind
b
: devoid of warmth and cordiality
a glacial handshake
c
: coldly imperturbable
maintained a glacial calm
2
: of a purity marked by the tendency to readily solidify in the form of ice-like crystals
glacial acetic acid
3
a(1)
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than at present
(2)
capitalized
: pleistocene
b
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
c
: suggestive of the very slow movement of glaciers
progress on the bill has been glacial
Synonyms
Examples of glacial in a Sentence
Progress on the bill has been glacial.
a glacial weather front coming down from Canada will bring freezing temperatures this weekend
Recent Examples on the Web
This corresponds with historical changes during the last glacial period, suggesting the decline was because of climate change rather than human actions.
—
Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
During the Pleistocene epoch (2.59 million to 11,700 years ago), there were roughly 20 cycles of long glacial periods (40,000 to 100,000 years) followed by shorter interglacial periods lasting around 20,000 years.
—Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
Chugach Mountains by helicopter One of the easiest ways to see Alaska’s glacial landscape is also one of the most spectacular.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Changes of bigger magnitude than this will always feel glacial.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for glacial 
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Charles Feigin / The Conversation, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
During the Pleistocene epoch (2.59 million to 11,700 years ago), there were roughly 20 cycles of long glacial periods (40,000 to 100,000 years) followed by shorter interglacial periods lasting around 20,000 years.
—Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
Chugach Mountains by helicopter One of the easiest ways to see Alaska’s glacial landscape is also one of the most spectacular.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Changes of bigger magnitude than this will always feel glacial.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for glacial
Dictionary Entries Near glacial
Cite this Entry
“Glacial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacial. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glacial
adjective
gla·cial
ˈglā-shəl 
1
a
: extremely cold : frigid
b
: lacking warmth of feeling
2
a
: of, relating to, or produced by glaciers
b
: of, relating to, or being any of those parts of geologic time when a large portion of the earth was covered by glaciers
c
capitalized
: pleistocene
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