ember

noun

em·​ber ˈem-bər How to pronounce ember (audio)
1
: a glowing fragment (as of coal) from a fire
especially : one smoldering in ashes
2
embers plural : the smoldering remains of a fire
3
embers plural : slowly dying or fading emotions, memories, ideas, or responses still capable of being revived
the embers of his past

Examples of ember in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Anti-Social Season by Adele Buck Firefighters may be dedicated to dousing blazes, but The Anti-Social Season is all about stoking the embers between former firefighter Thea Martinelli and librarian Simon Osman. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024 In this case, any ember that happens to match the speed of the wave can be picked up and begins to surf. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 The Yacht Rock renaissance has breathed new life into the embers of a goofy and louche, but somehow innocent, time in American pop history, when songs were mainly about seduction and breakups. Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 27 Nov. 2024 The Lakota and their allies won several military victories against the Army, most notably at the Little Bighorn, but as the years passed there was a sense of inevitability, culminating with the slaughter at Wounded Knee, which extinguished the last embers of armed Lakota resistance. Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ember 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eymere, from Old Norse eimyrja; akin to Old English ǣmerge ashes, Latin urere to burn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ember was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ember

Cite this Entry

“Ember.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ember. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ember

noun
em·​ber ˈem-bər How to pronounce ember (audio)
: a glowing piece of coal or wood from a fire
especially : such a piece smoldering in ashes

More from Merriam-Webster on ember

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!