Dictionary Workbench Ondict

window

Dictionary entry view. Switch to definition mode above when you know the meaning but not the word.

window
window S1 W1 /ˈwɪndəʊ $ -doʊ/ noun [countable]
 Date: 1200-1300
 Language: Old Norse
 Origin: vindauga, from vindr 'wind' + auga 'eye'

1. a space or an area of glass in the wall of a building or vehicle that lets in light
    open/close/shut a window
    Do you mind if I open the window?
    out of/from/through the window
    She looked out of the window to see if it was raining.
    The sun was shining through the windows.
    in the window (=just inside a window)
    We were looking at the Christmas displays in the shop windows.
    bedroom/kitchen etc windowbay window, DORMER WINDOW, French windows, picture window, sash window
2. one of the separate areas on a computer screen where different programs are operating
3. (also window of opportunity) a short period of time that is available for a particular activity:
    Delay might open a window of opportunity for their rivals.
4. an area on an envelope with clear plastic in it which lets you see the address written on the letter inside the envelope
5. a window on/to the world something that makes it possible to see and learn about what is happening in other parts of the world:
    Television provides us with a useful window on the world.
6. go out (of) the window informal to disappear completely or no longer have any effect:
    One glass of wine, and all my good intentions went out the window.
     
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
    open a window I opened the window and breathed in the fresh air.
    close/shut a window She shut the window firmly.
    roll up/down a window (=open or shut the window in a car) Lucy rolled the window down and waved to him.
    look/gaze/stare out of the window Mom stared out of the window at the road.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + window
    open A breeze from the open window lifted her hair.
    closed/shut All the windows were closed.
    a front window I don't want people looking in my front window.
    a back window The burglar had got in through one of the back windows.
    the rear window (=the back window, especially of a car) The car's rear window had been bashed in.
    a shop/store window She looked in shop windows.
    somebody's bedroom/office window From his bedroom window he could see two men having an argument.
    the kitchen/car etc window She had left the kitchen window open.
    a stained glass window (=made of pieces of coloured glass) The church has fine medieval stained glass windows.
■ window + NOUN
    the window frame The window frame was rotten.