Meaning & use

mass

noun·Academic

The quantity of matter in an object, measured by its resistance to acceleration; also a large body or quantity of something.

See it in a sentence

Scientists measured the mass of the asteroid using its gravitational pull.

A mass of dark clouds gathered on the horizon before the storm.

A note on using this word

Mass differs from weight, since mass stays constant while weight changes with gravity; capitalized, Mass also names a Christian worship service, an unrelated sense.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. proper noun

A religious service in some Christian traditions, especially the Catholic Church, centered on Holy Communion.

They attend Mass together every Sunday morning at the local parish.

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