cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər How to pronounce cinder (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of cinder in a Sentence

Cinders from the campfire floated through the air.
Recent Examples on the Web The disaster, which came with minimal warning, buried the wealthy Roman enclave under ash and cinders, substances that prevented the site’s deterioration and made restoration possible. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 28 June 2023 While the exterior of this denim is plenty durable — and available in light, indigo, or cinder washes — the interior offers superior sweatpants-level comfort. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023 The new venue had a cinder track around it to accommodate a football field comfortably. Vince Guerrieri, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023 This bamboo pajama set is available in three colors: desert sand, cinder, and asphalt. Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2023 The two astronauts used the jagged Bonito lava flow, along with surrounding cinder fields and cones, to test equipment and practice geological survey techniques. Mike Bezemek, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 June 2023 Scientists transformed the northern Arizona landscape into a re-creation of the moon by using explosives to create a simulated lunar surface in the cinder fields near Sunset Crater. Lisa Davis, USA TODAY, 26 June 2022 The blaze continued its run Wednesday through dry grass and scattered Ponderosa pines around homes into volcanic cinder fields, where roots underground can combust and send small rocks flying into the air, fire officials said. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2022 The cinder/spatter cone being built by Fissure 8, here reaching 50 meters at its rim on June 16, 2018. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cinder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near cinder

Cite this Entry

“Cinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinder. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cinder

noun
cin·​der ˈsin-dər How to pronounce cinder (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cinder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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