[glaz-nost, glahz‑; Russ. glahs-nuh
st] 
| the declared public policy within the Soviet Union of openly and frankly discussing economic and political realities: initiated under Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985. |
| glas·nost (gläs'nəst, -nôst) n. An official policy of the former Soviet government emphasizing candor with regard to discussion of social problems and shortcomings. [Russian glasnost', publicity, openness, from obsolete glas, voice, from Old Church Slavonic glasŭ; see gal- in Indo-European roots.] |
A Russian word meaning “openness,” which describes the policy of Mikhail Gorbachev, premier of the former Soviet Union. The term refers to a general loosening of government control on all aspects of life in the Soviet Union, even to the point of permitting criticism of government policies.