amber

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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

Recent Examples of amber from the Web

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
In a December 2016 paper in Current Biology, Xing and Ryan McKellar of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, Canada, described their team's discovery of a feathered baby dinosaur tail in a chunk of amber 99 million years old.

— kathleen mclaughlin, Science | AAAS, "This paleontologist races the bulldozers to track down China’s dinosaurs," 21 June 2017
A series of amber lights about the health of the U.S. economy have started to flash.

— luzi-ann javier, Bloomberg.com, "Gold Bulls Look Past Fed Rate Hike, Load Up on ETFs," 13 June 2017
Notes of patchouli, amber, and vetiver blend together to create this comforting yet bold scent that your dad will love to live in.

— vanity fair, Vanities, "The Best Father's Day Gifts for 2017," 13 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 am·ber

Definition of amber

1 : consisting of amber
2 : resembling amber; especially : having the color amber

Recent Examples of amber from the Web

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
The National Blue Alert system will be similar to AMBER Alerts -- which broadcast instances of child abduction via cell phones and other wireless devices as well as on freeway overpasses -- and will operate nationally and be managed by the DOJ.

— laura jarrett, CNN, "New DOJ alert system will flag crimes against police," 19 May 2017
The door etched in amber light, like the entrance to a place on fire.

— ocean vuong, The New Yorker, "A Letter to My Mother That She Will Never Read," 13 May 2017
The fading amber light, the waving green fields, the meandering young girl — opens on a pretty pastoral scene.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: ‘American Fable,’ Pastoral With a Wolf Howling," 16 Feb. 2017
A man was recently arrested on suspicion of transporting a 26.5-pound sack of amber stones worth around $20,700.

— brendan hoffman, National Geographic, "The Dramatic Impact of Illegal Amber Mining in Ukraine’s Wild West," 31 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of amber

15th century

AMBER Defined for English Language Learners

amber

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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

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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