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

Take another sporting example—in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens raced on a track of cinders to win the 100-meter gold with a record time of 10.3 seconds. —Devrim Celal, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Insuring right and rebuilding smarter Ajami sees a critical role for insurance companies implementing smart, resilient practices for communities left to cinders. —Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 29 July 2024

Tracks used to be made out of cinders, for example, rather than synthetic rubber. —Outside Online, 24 July 2024

Jesse Owens ran on a cinder track and used a garden tool to dig holes to place his feet at the start of a race. —Emily Giambalvo, Washington Post, 26 July 2024

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

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