ember

noun

em·​ber ˈem-bər 

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

Even as firefighters were dousing the embers, Watertown Fire Marshal Kim Calabrese was raising questions about whether the homeowner had violated building and fire codes. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2024

Lorenzen said the blaze later rose to eight alarms because of the winds and floating embers and the attempt to protect nearby buildings. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024

This week’s more sentimental tone is announced by an opening scene equal parts clinical and tender: A body that was alive a week ago is reduced to nothing but hot embers on New Year’s Eve. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024

For well over two decades, Pakistan has made every effort to stoke the dying embers of the insurgency. —Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2019

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

Phrases Containing ember

• ember day

Kids Definition

ember

noun

em·​ber ˈem-bər 

: a glowing piece of coal or wood from a fire

especially : such a piece smoldering in ashes