cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər 

1

: the slag from a metal furnace : dross

2

a

cinders plural : ashes

b

: a fragment of ash

3

a

: a partly burned combustible in which fire is extinct

b

: a hot coal without flame

c

: a partly burned coal capable of further burning without flame

4

: a fragment of lava from an erupting volcano

cindery

ˈsin-d(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of cinder in a Sentence

Cinders from the campfire floated through the air.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Winston-Salem Jaycees sponsored these races on the cinder running track at Bowman Gray. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2025

The photos of kids that adorned the walls are now cinders. —Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025

Pacific Palisades residents are emotionally reuniting with cinders instead of homes. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Life savings, memories and livelihoods: all cinders within hours. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sinder, from Old English; akin to Old High German sintar dross, slag, Serbian & Croatian sedra calcium carbonate

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cinder

• burn to a cinder
• cinder block
• cinder cone

Rhymes for cinder

• hinder
• linder
• tinder
• winder

Kids Definition

cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər 

1

: slag

2

a

: a piece of partly burned coal or wood

b

: a hot coal without flame

3

: a piece of lava from an erupting volcano

cindery

-d(ə-)rē 

adjective