hourglass

/ˈaʊərˌɡlæs/
noun
  1. A device with two glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck, used to measure time by the flow of sand from the upper to the lower bulb.
    • An hourglass on the mantelpiece reminded them of the passing minutes.
    • The chef used an hourglass to time the perfect three-minute egg.
    • In the old board game, players flipped the hourglass to start their turn.
  2. Something that resembles an hourglass in shape, especially a woman's figure with a narrow waist and wider hips and bust.
    • The sculpture was carved into an elegant hourglass shape.
    • She had a natural hourglass that made vintage clothing fit perfectly.
    • The dress was designed to flatter an hourglass figure.
adjective
  1. Shaped like an hourglass; having a narrow middle and wider ends.
    • The building's hourglass design helped it withstand strong winds.
    • The vase had an hourglass silhouette that made it easy to grip.
    • Hourglass dunes form when wind blows sand from two directions.