Definition

1. Noun:
   • An opening in a wall, door, or vehicle, typically fitted with glass, to admit light and air and allow people to see out: A physical structure in a building or vehicle.
   • A transparent panel in an envelope or similar object: A section made of a transparent material.
   • A rectangular area on a computer screen that displays information independently from the rest of the screen: A graphical user interface element.
   • A period of time considered optimal for a particular action or event: A specific, often limited, timeframe.
   • An opening that resembles a window in function or appearance: A gap or aperture providing a view or passage.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She opened the window to let in some fresh air.
  • Please mail the form in the envelope with the clear window.
  • Minimize the browser window and open your document.
  • We have a narrow window for launching the product before our competitors.
  • A window in the clouds revealed a patch of blue sky.

Advanced Usage

• "window of opportunity": A favorable, often brief, period for taking action.

  • The ceasefire created a small window of opportunity for negotiations.

• "out the window": Gone, discarded, or no longer relevant (informal).

  • After the scandal, his career plans went out the window.

• "window on/into the world": Something that provides insight or a view into a different place, situation, or culture.

  • The documentary was a window into the lives of nomadic tribes.

Variants and Related Words

• Windowpane (n): A single sheet of glass in a window.

  • The hail cracked the windowpane.

• Windowsill (n): A ledge at the bottom of a window.

  • The cat sat on the windowsill, watching the birds.

• Windowless (adj): Having no windows.

  • The windowless basement felt very claustrophobic.

Synonyms

• Opening: An aperture or gap.
• Aperture: An opening, hole, or gap.
• Pane: A sheet of glass in a window or door.
• Timeframe: A specified period of time.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Window-shop (v): To look at goods in store windows without intending to buy.
  • We spent the afternoon window-shopping in the city center.

Related Idioms

• "A window to the soul": The idea that the eyes reveal a person's true nature or feelings.

  • They say the eyes are a window to the soul.

• "Throw money out the window": To waste money.

  • Buying that unreliable car was like throwing money out the window.

Noun

1. (computer science) a rectangular part of a computer screen that contains a display different from the rest of the screen
2. an opening in a wall or screen that admits light and air and through which customers can be served
   • he stuck his head in the window
3. a pane of glass in a window
   • the ball shattered the window
4. the time period that is considered best for starting or finishing something
   • the expanded window will give us time to catch the thieves
   • they had a window of less than an hour when an attack would have succeeded
5. an opening that resembles a window in appearance or function
   • he could see them through a window in the trees
6. a transparent panel (as of an envelope) inserted in an otherwise opaque material
7. a transparent opening in a vehicle that allow vision out of the sides or back; usually is capable of being opened
8. a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air