1 mass | Definition of mass
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

mass

noun (1)
\ ˈmas How to pronounce mass (audio) \

Definition of mass

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 capitalized : the liturgy of the Eucharist (see eucharist sense 1) especially in accordance with the traditional Latin rite (see rite sense 1)
2 often capitalized : a celebration of the Eucharist (see eucharist sense 1) Sunday masses held at three different hours
3 : a musical setting for the ordinary of the Mass Bach's Mass in B Minor

mass

noun (2)

Definition of mass (Entry 2 of 5)

1a : a quantity or aggregate of matter usually of considerable size
b(1) : expanse, bulk
(2) : massive quality or effect
(3) : the main part or body the great mass of the continent is buried under an ice cap— Walter Sullivan
(4) : aggregate, whole men in the mass
c : the property of a body that is a measure of its inertia and that is commonly taken as a measure of the amount of material it contains and causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
2 : a large quantity, amount, or number a mass of material
3a : a large body of persons in a group a mass of spectators
b : the great body of the people as contrasted with the elite —often used in plural the underprivileged and disadvantaged masses— C. A. Buss

mass

verb
massed; massing; masses

Definition of mass (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

: to form or collect into a mass

intransitive verb

: to assemble in a mass three thousand students had massed in the plaza— A. E. Neville

mass

adjective

Definition of mass (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : of or relating to the mass of the people mass market also : being one of or at one with the mass : average mass man
b : participated in by or affecting a large number of individuals mass destruction
c : having a large-scale character mass plantings of tulips
2 : viewed as a whole : total the mass effect of a design

Mass

abbreviation

Definition of Mass (Entry 5 of 5)

Massachusetts
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about mass

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for mass

Noun (2)

bulk, mass, volume mean the aggregate that forms a body or unit. bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous. the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind. a mass of boulders volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating. a tremendous volume of water

Examples of mass in a Sentence

Verb

 A large crowd of demonstrators massed outside the courthouse. Clouds were massing on the horizon. The generals massed their troops.

Adjective

 Television is a mass medium.
See More

First Known Use of mass

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for mass

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mæsse, modification of Vulgar Latin *messa, literally, dismissal at the end of a religious service, from Late Latin missa, from Latin, feminine of missus, past participle of mittere to send

Noun (2)

Middle English masse, from Anglo-French, from Latin massa, from Greek maza; akin to Greek massein to knead — more at mingle

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mass

mass

verb

English Language Learners Definition of mass

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to form or gather into a large group

mass

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of mass (Entry 2 of 2)

: involving, affecting, or designed for many people

See the full definition for mass in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!