Home › Glossary › Letter S

sash

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A long strip of fabric worn around the waist or over the shoulder, often tied or draped, serving in poetry as a decorative accent, a symbol of victory, or a mark of formal ceremony.

Detailed Definition
The sash is a garment of great versatility and symbolic power, appearing in military, academic, and ceremonial contexts. In poetry, a sash can denote rank—a military officer's crimson sash—or achievement—a beauty queen's satin sash. Its long, trailing ends invite motion, and poets often describe the sash as flowing in the wind or caught on a branch. In love poetry, a sash might be unfastened as a gesture of surrender, or tied around a lover's waist as a promise. Its bright colors—often red, blue, or gold—make it a vivid visual accent against more somber attire. In folk and ballad poetry, the sash is sometimes used as a handkerchief or a binding, highlighting its practical versatility. Its presence often marks a moment of celebration or official recognition.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Her sash of crimson silk was a line of fire at her waist"; "He tied his sash and became a samurai of the formal room"; "The sash's gold thread caught the light and flashed like a signal"; "She loosened her sash and the dress fell open"; "The sash, embroidered with his name, was her only gift to him"; "He wore his sash to the ceremony, a ribbon of achievement"
Additional Notes
The sash is a garment of great versatility and symbolic power, appearing in military, academic, and ceremonial contexts. In poetry, a sash can denote rank—a military officer's crimson sash—or achievement—a beauty queen's satin sash. Its long, trailing ends invite motion, and poets often describe the sash as flowing in the wind or caught on a branch. In love poetry, a sash might be unfastened as a gesture of surrender, or tied around a lover's waist as a promise. Its bright colors—often red, blue, or gold—make it a vivid visual accent against more somber attire. In folk and ballad poetry, the sash is sometimes used as a handkerchief or a binding, highlighting its practical versatility. Related terms include belt, cummerbund, and obi. Students should note the sash's role in signaling honor, rank, and ceremony.
Also Known As
decorative belt ornamental girdle waist ribbon girdle
Skip to main content