amber

noun am·ber \ ˈam-bər \

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

While the woman was unharmed, police are asking anyone collecting amber to do so in tins.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Woman Accidentally Picks Up WWII-Era White Phosphorus," 9 Aug. 2017
Road Trip will remind you of desert air with scents of woody cedar, leather with hints of floral jasmine and a rich amber base.

— lyndsey matthews, Country Living, "These Candles Will Remind You of Your Favorite Childhood Memories," 8 Aug. 2017
He was particularly noted for his imaginative and unusual color combinations — amethyst and coral, amber and turquoise, sapphire and topaz.

— enid nemy, New York Times, "Kenneth Jay Lane, Jewelry Designer Who Made a Fortune Faking It, Dies at 85," 20 July 2017
Many Disneyphiles love that certain Epcot attractions (like Spaceship Earth, a jerky tour through world history that is housed inside that golf ball) have remained trapped in amber.

— brooks barnes, New York Times, "Disney Vows to Give Epcot a Magical, Long-Overdue Makeover," 15 July 2017
The area remained stuck in that special brand of government amber for two decades, until Congress authorized return of the land to Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk nation, its original human inhabitants, to be turned into the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Driftless Region's Kickapoo Valley is a hilly paradise in western Wisconsin," 6 July 2017
All preserved in digital amber, like the insect from Jurassic Park.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic," 26 June 2017
Both were found trapped in ancient amber in Myanmar's mines.

— sophie weiner, Popular Mechanics, "Newly Discovered Ancient Wasp Species Gets Its Name from David Bowie," 23 June 2017
Just 15 miles to ambers and stouts in Stevens Point.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tour de beer: A biking brewery tour in the Stevens Point area," 22 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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

Channel Old Hollywood with a dramatic eyeliner from Shiseido, treat your skin and hair to a blanket of Oriental amber oil from Frédéric Malle, or pump up the volume with Mallett's Volume Powder.

— vanityfair.com, "Summer Send Off: The Best Beauty Buys this September," 18 Aug. 2017
The result is a hearty 5.5 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) amber lager.

— AL.com, "Cool things to do in Huntsville, Aug. 6-12," 6 Aug. 2017
Vegetable broth or stock is readily available; the broth is often more amber colored than chicken broth.

— jill wendholt silva, sacbee, "Skillet dish melds delicate flavors well," 25 July 2017
Catskill Distilling’s amber spirit is earthy yet light, with a touch of vanilla sweetness on the finish: One and Only Buckwheat, $65 for 750 milliliters, mouth.com.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "A Spirit With an Identity Complex," 10 July 2017
Vegetable broth or stock is readily available; the broth is often more amber colored than chicken broth.

— jill wendholt silva, kansascity.com, "Barley, Leek and Asparagus Skillet melds delicate flavors well," 5 July 2017
America has always been lovely from the outside, with her spacious skies and amber waves of grain.

— michael harriot, The Root, "This Lying, Murdering Whore Called America," 16 June 2017
The golden-skinned, amber-eyed boy is a commodity to Coleman: a son swapped for a son, and Coleman feels few moral qualms about the impact on Juanita.

— special to the washington post, The Denver Post, "“Everybody’s Son”: A boy caught between love and race," 15 June 2017
But the twist to this shrimp and grits is is has a hint of amber beer ($16).

— AL.com, "13 amazing shrimp and grits dishes to try in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach," 8 June 2017

First Known Use of amber

15th century

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