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

Firefighters responding to a blaze that destroyed a massive medical equipment warehouse in Northern California and sent embers flying for miles were hindered by sprinklers and hydrants that weren't working, authorities said Friday. —ABC News, 12 June 2026

Specifically, the lawsuit said that the draining of a local reservoir resulted in fire hydrants running dry and that a lack of land inspection after the Lachman Fires left embers smoldering. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Investigators determined the remnants of the Lachman Fire were rekindled by catastrophic Santa Ana winds, which likely rekindled embers that led to the Palisades Fire beginning near the same location. —Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 11 June 2026

As the fire raged, embers drifted to the south and ignited several spot fires, the city said. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 June 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
• crewmember
• 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