Meaning of window In English

• 0 a space usually filled with glass in the wall of a building or in a vehicle, to allow light and air in and to allow people inside the building to see out:

  • Is it all right if I open/close the window?

  • He caught me staring out of the window.

  • I saw a child's face at the window.

  • She has some wonderful plants in the window (= on a surface at the bottom of the window).

  • I was admiring the cathedral's stained-glass windows.

  • Have you paid the window cleaner (= person whose job is to clean the outside of windows)?

  • window frames

  • a window ledge

  • The film provides a window on the immigrant experience.

  • How much is the jacket in the window?

  • The shop windows are wonderful around Christmas time.

• 1 a separate area on a computer screen that shows information and can be moved around:

  • to minimize/maximize a window

• 2 a period when there is an opportunity to do something:

  • I'm busy this week but there might be a window on Friday.

  • If a window of opportunity (= an opportunity) should present itself, I'd take advantage of it.

• 3 an opening in the wall of a building or vehicle, usually covered with glass, to let light and air in and to allow people inside to see out:

  • to open/close a window

  • From her bedroom window she could see a lovely garden.

  • We walked along Fifth Avenue, looking in the shop windows.

  • If a window of opportunity presents itself, I’d be a fool not to take advantage of it.

• 4 an area of a computer screen that shows a particular type of information

• 5 one of the separate areas that can be opened and moved around on a computer screen to use particular programs:

  • The information appeared in a new window.

  • click on/close/open a window

  • maximize/minimize/move a window

  • enlarge/reduce a window

• 6 a short period in between other activities when there is an opportunity to do something:

  • I have a window on Thursday morning, so we could meet then.

  • The difficult economic conditions provide a window of opportunity for longterm investors.

• 7 the large area of glass at the front of a store behind which goods are displayed:

  • Could I try on the dress in the window?

  • Stores don't tend to put anything above a size 8 in their window displays.