amber

noun am·ber \ ˈam-bər \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Definition of amber

1 : a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (such as beads)

2 : a variable color averaging a dark orange yellow

See amber defined for English-language learners

See amber defined for kids

Recent Examples of amber from the Web

Trussed lamb shoulders hang above, turning amber in the smoke, which exits through a soaring copper chimney.

— brett martin, GQ, "GQ's Best New Restaurants in America, 2018," 23 Apr. 2018
Cook, swirling pot often but not stirring, until mixture turns deep amber and wisps of smoke rise from the surface, 8–10 minutes.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Salted Caramel–Chocolate Tart," 19 Mar. 2018
But unlike other past-their-commercial-prime acts that occupied the stages Thursday afternoon and evening, Sweet isn’t trapped in the amber of nostalgia.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 2: Marshmello, Nelly, Tory Lanez, Buckcherry and more," 28 June 2018
The writer’s calling is to set that memory in the amber of his prose; in Proust’s pitiless formulation, art is all, life is nothing.

— ryu spaeth, The New Republic, "Gerald Murnane’s Endless Island," 4 May 2018
In the past, the Star Wars actress has ricocheted between brunette, raven, platinum, and soft amber, but her brighter, bolder makeover, which infused strands from root to tip, felt like a wholehearted plunge.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Daisy Ridley Debuts a New Fiery Red Hair Color in London," 9 Mar. 2018
In the Jurassic Park movies, scientists extract dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes trapped in amber.

— National Geographic, "Could Humans and Dinosaurs Coexist? Here's the Science.," 22 June 2018
Today, fossil findings in amber are still going strong.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Jurassic Park’s Unlikely Symbiosis With Real-World Science," 15 June 2018
One substance, white phosphorus, regularly washes up on the German island of Rügen, where tourists or amber collectors have accidentally picked up pieces of the toxic material in recent years.

— rick noack, Washington Post, "Unexploded WWII bomb forces mass evacuation in Berlin. There’ll be more to come.," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amber

Middle English ambre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin ambra, from Arabic ʽanbar ambergris

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

amber

adjective

Definition of amber

1 : consisting of amber

2 : resembling amber; especially : having the color amber

Recent Examples of amber from the Web

In Simons's version, the clouds have rolled in over the amber waves of grain.

— robin givhan, Houston Chronicle, "Nothing else Melania Trump wears will ever matter again," 13 July 2018
Just outside of town near Ele’ele’s Port Allen Harbor is Glass Beach, covered in millions of bits of colorful sea glass in shades of blue, amber and aqua.

— laura kiniry, Smithsonian, "The 20 Best Small Towns To Visit in 2018," 5 June 2018
Irish Pubs brings you roast chicken layered with duck confit (fancy, no?), roast turkey, stuffing and amber beer gravy, deep-fried and drizzled (for a Wisconsin touch) with cranberry reduction.

— nancy stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest's new menu items include bacon cannoli, tater tot poutine and 'walking nachos'," 17 May 2018
Signal lamps on the rear of a vehicle must display only red light, amber light or any shade of color between red and amber.

— arika herron, Indianapolis Star, "Gas tax hike, sex ed and eyeball tattooing: here are the new laws taking effect July 1," 29 June 2018
Local Option Bierwerker, also from Chicago, sells brews such as oak-aged coffee amber ale at its store.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "VIP ticket added to Lake Villa craft beer festival at historic mansion," 13 June 2018
When the sugar starts to melt around the edges and turns amber (about 2 minutes), stir gently and add another 2 tablespoons sugar to the pan.

— woman's day kitchen, Woman's Day, "S'mores Ice Cream Pie," 9 May 2016
The resulting wines are amber colored — some indeed look orange — and tannic.

— eric asimov, New York Times, "From Campania’s Volcanic Soils, Whites in Multiple Colors," 31 May 2018
Emmons has done unscientific experiments at home and has found that amber glass helps plants grow the fastest, but any clear container will do, so the roots get some light.

— emily main, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Thriving Houseplants In Water," 23 June 2017

First Known Use of amber

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

AMBER Defined for English Language Learners

amber

noun

Definition of amber for English Language Learners

: a hard orange-yellow substance that can be polished and used for jewelry and other decorations
: a dark orange-yellow color

AMBER Defined for Kids

amber

noun am·ber \ ˈam-bər \

Definition of amber for Students

1 : a hard yellowish to brownish clear substance that is a fossil resin from trees long dead and that can be polished and used in making ornamental objects (as beads)

2 : a dark orange yellow : the color of honey