amber

noun am·ber \ ˈam-bər \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

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See amber defined for kids

Recent Examples of amber from the Web

First, the idea that there is intact dino DNA contained within blood-sucking insects preserved in amber just doesn’t add up.

— darren griffin, Scientific American, "Jurassic World: Can We Really Resurrect a Dinosaur?," 6 June 2018
The region of Tanai, where the clashes erupted, is rich in gold and amber, two important sources of income for the KIA.

— The Economist, "Myanmar’s government sits by while the army goes on the offensive," 17 May 2018
Notes include pink grapefruit, anjou pear, and water lily at the top; gardenia, tiare flower, and tuberose at the middle; sandalwood, solar amber, and musk at the base.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "What People Really Think Of Kim Kardashian West's New Perfume Crystal Gardenia," 15 Nov. 2017
Cue strong scents such as amber, jasmine, musk and tuberose that were intended to mask persistent odors.

— kelsey kloss, ELLE Decor, "Home Fragrances: A Brief History, From Ancient Egypt To Today," 5 Aug. 2016
Once the caramel is a dark amber, remove from heat and gradually add the cream (the mixture will steam and bubble).

— woman's day kitchen, Woman's Day, "S'mores Ice Cream Pie," 9 May 2016
In Arhropoda Iconicus, recognizable characters become transformed into realistic, lifelike bugs, including Chewbecca, R2D2, Darth Vader and Han Solo trapped in amber.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Star Wars Characters Get Reimagined as Incredible Fictional Insects," 26 May 2018
The beer, which isn’t sold in the U.S., is an amber lager.

— mike cherney, WSJ, "The Newest Thing in Beer: Ancient Yeast," 20 May 2018
The stores on Germantown Avenue may come and go, but the street’s architectural mix has largely remained frozen in amber.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "Philadelphia's housing boom finally reaches Mount Airy. Can it avoid the mistakes of other neighborhoods? | Inga Saffron," 17 May 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

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
Other amber fossils have preserved spider silk, including bits of spider webs that contain insects.

— National Geographic, "Tick Wrapped in Spider Silk Found Trapped in Amber—A First," 25 May 2018
Tangerine, fig, caramel and a slight note of anise commingle in this dark amber PX from Montilla-Moriles.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "How to enjoy Pedro Ximenez sherry," 18 Apr. 2018
Inner Loop Houston Museum of Natural Science Exhibits of dinosaurs, amber gems and rare fossils, Burke Baker Planetarium, IMAX and more.

— ana khan, Houston Chronicle, "Local museums entertain, educate," 9 May 2018
The early offerings cover a wide swath of classic Belgian styles (the rich Dubbel Dutch, the potent Stay Gold golden ale) and some less common styles (the approachable Chapeau du Jour amber ale, a light and food-friendly Valley Summer table beer).

— john verive, latimes.com, "Bluebird Brasserie, the first brewery in Sherman Oaks, brings Belgian beer culture to the neighborhood," 7 May 2018
The trees are a symbol of Washington, now as American as amber waves of grain, John Deere tractors and Super Bowl commercials for fruit.

— daniel stone, Time, "How the Man Who Brought the Cherry Blossoms to Washington Narrowly Avoided a Diplomatic Crisis," 20 Mar. 2018
Inside a building near the docks where barges begin the journey up the Congo river, conveyor belts rattle as thousands of glass bottles are washed and filled with amber liquid.

— The Economist, "How Heineken beer survives in Congo," 21 Apr. 2018

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