cellular glass

7.0

A light hard foam made from crushed glass that keeps heat in and resists water

noun
/ˈsɛljələr ɡlæs/

Specialized

: vidrio celular

The new building was insulated with cellular glass panels.

Examples

Engineers chose cellular glass for its excellent moisture resistance and durability.
Is cellular glass suitable for outdoor use?
Some industrial tanks are protected with cellular glass to prevent heat loss.
The architect used cellular glass for the building's insulation.
Engineers chose cellular glass for its excellent moisture resistance and durability.
Some industrial tanks are protected with cellular glass to prevent heat loss.
The new building was insulated with cellular glass panels.

Synonyms

expanded glass

vscellular glass

Specialized

6.8

A light, hard, insulating material used in buildings to keep heat in

is the general name for the same insulating foam-like material

foam glass

vscellular glass

Specialized

6.7

A light hard material made from melted sand with many small air pockets used for insulation and building

specifies adding powdered carbon and firing to create a foam insulating material

Surface Forms

cellular glass singular

cellular glasses plural

Morphology

cellular + glass

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'cellular' (having a compartmental or honeycomb-like internal structure) modifies 'glass', so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a type of glass with a cellular/foamed structure, likely lightweight and insulating. While technical production details are specialized, the core meaning follows standard adjective+noun composition and is easily derivable by a B1 learner.

Etymology

The material cellular glass gets its name from the word cellular, meaning many tiny 'cells' or pockets inside the glass, like bubbles in foam. Those trapped pockets make it light, strong and very good at keeping heat and water out, so it is used for 'insulation'.