win ‧ dow S1 W1 /ˈwɪndəʊ $ -doʊ/ BrE AmE 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 window ⇨ ↑ bay 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.