“Glass Ceiling” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 17, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The term “glass ceiling” is often used in conversations to describe invisible barriers that prevent certain groups, especially women and minorities, from advancing in their careers.

This reference includes definitions, examples, and alternative phrases for “glass ceiling.” You’ll explore how this phrase can be applied to everyday conversations and its historical background.

Glass Ceiling Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The term ‘glass ceiling’ refers to an imaginary barrier that stands in the way of certain groups of people from reaching the topmost level in a situation. The phrase is often used in the workplace.
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“Glass Ceiling” Definition

The term “glass ceiling” refers to an invisible barrier that prevents certain groups of people, particularly women and minorities, from advancing to higher levels of leadership or success in their careers, despite their qualifications and achievements. The “glass” aspect symbolizes that the barrier is not immediately obvious, but it’s still difficult to break through.

Origin of this Idiomatic Phrase

The idiom ‘glass ceiling’ was first coined in a book from 1984 and referenced the fact that women were not able to achieve certain things in a male-dominated business place. The term was used regularly by feminists who wanted equality at work for women.

Usage of “Glass Ceiling”

Here are some examples of how to use “glass ceiling”:

  1. In a workplace context: “Despite her years of experience, she feels like she’s hit a glass ceiling and can’t advance to upper management.”
  2. In discussions of inequality: “Many minority employees encounter a glass ceiling when trying to reach senior leadership roles.”
  3. In academic settings: “There’s been significant progress in academia, but the glass ceiling still exists for women in certain fields.”
  4. In reference to breaking barriers: “Her promotion to CEO was celebrated because she shattered the glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry.”

Related Terms to “Glass Ceiling”

  • Gender gap – Refers to the disparities in opportunities, pay, and treatment between men and women.
  • Pay gap – The difference in wages earned by different groups, often referring to the wage disparity between men and women.
  • Discrimination – Unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics like gender, race, age, or ethnicity, which can create barriers to advancement.
  • Tokenism – The practice of making a superficial effort to include underrepresented groups, without meaningful change or opportunity.
  • Sticky floor – Refers to individuals in low-paying or entry-level positions who are unable to advance to higher levels, often affecting women and minorities.
  • Glass cliff – A situation where women or minorities are placed in leadership roles during times of crisis, making their success difficult or risky.
  • Equality of opportunity – The principle that everyone should have the same chance to succeed, regardless of background or identity.
  • Workplace bias – Unconscious or conscious favoritism that affects hiring, promotions, or opportunities in the workplace.
  • Diversity gap – The lack of representation of different genders, races, or backgrounds in leadership roles or other high-level positions.
  • Old boys’ club – Refers to a network of powerful men who support each other’s career advancement, often excluding women and minorities.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are many other ways to talk about the meaning of the term ‘glass ceiling.’ Some examples of this might be as follows.

  • Unwritten barrier
  • Social obstacles
  • Intangible barrier
  • Uncodified barrier

“Glass Ceiling” Examples

Examples in Statements

This statement is made about the marriage rights of gay people.

  • ‘People in the gay community are not allowed to marry one another in some countries, there is a glass ceiling stopping them from being able to have this right.’

More helpful examples: 

  • The glass ceiling does not exist because they don’t let it.
  • Many new immigrants are concerned about the glass ceiling in some organizations.
  • If we’re not making enough money we can blame it on the glass ceiling.
  • Goodhue shattered the glass ceiling as the first female publisher at Time Inc.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to know how the term ‘glass ceiling’ fits into a conversation, here are some examples to show you how the term would sound.

Conversation number one is made between two friends discussing women’s rights at work.

  • Person 1: “It isn’t fair that women don’t receive the same pay as men when they do the same job.”
  • Person 2: “There’s a glass ceiling that will be almost impossible to get through.”

A conversation between two people regarding actors and their races.

  • Person 1: “It is such a shame that white actors always seem to get the role of James Bond.”
  • Person 2: “It’s that glass ceiling, other races struggle to get through.”
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