ash heap

noun

: a pile or mound of ashes and other waste
often used figuratively
And the hallowed notion that banks should operate in secrecy … should be tossed on the ash heap of financial history.L. J. Davis, Harper's, June 1991… relegating the old-fashioned station break to the same television ash heap as the variety show, the "Please Stand By" sign and the teatime movie.Bill Carter, New York Times, 21 Mar. 1993

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ash heap was circa 1650

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near ash heap

Cite this Entry

“Ash heap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ash%20heap. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY