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

The state has been strengthening fire safety standards, specifically with the passage of Assembly Bill 3074 in 2020 and Senate Bill 504 in 2024, which direct residents to create an ember-resistant defensible space zone within the first 5 feet surrounding a structure, also known as Zone 0. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026

Inspectors explained that embers can ignite the smallest fuels around a home, including pine needles, dead leaves, and dry grass. —Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Born from the embers of the eighties band Talulah Gosh, Heavenly, led by the singer and guitarist Amelia Fletcher, shuffled forward with her riffy, effervescent playing style, gradually growing more sophisticated across four LPs and an EP, without any loss of buoyancy. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

All that, in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers to keep the final embers of the Red Wings’ playoff hopes from burning out. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for ember

• member
• december
• dismember
• nonmember
• november
• remember
• september

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