cinder

noun

cin·​der ˈsin-dər How to pronounce cinder (audio)
1
: the slag from a metal furnace : dross
2
a
cinders plural : ashes
b
: a fragment of ash
3
a
: a partly burned combustible in which fire is extinct
b
: a hot coal without flame
c
: a partly burned coal capable of further burning without flame
4
: a fragment of lava from an erupting volcano
cindery adjective

Examples of cinder in a Sentence

Cinders from the campfire floated through the air.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Block starts have been at the Olympics since London in 1948 (athletes previously used to dig holes in the cinder track to start). Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024 Take another sporting example—in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens raced on a track of cinders to win the 100-meter gold with a record time of 10.3 seconds. Devrim Celal, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 Insuring right and rebuilding smarter Ajami sees a critical role for insurance companies implementing smart, resilient practices for communities left to cinders. Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 Tracks used to be made out of cinders, for example, rather than synthetic rubber. Outside Online, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cinder 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sinder, from Old English; akin to Old High German sintar dross, slag, Serbian & Croatian sedra calcium carbonate

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near cinder

Cite this Entry

“Cinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinder. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cinder

noun
cin·​der ˈsin-dər How to pronounce cinder (audio)
1
: slag
2
a
: a piece of partly burned coal or wood
b
: a hot coal without flame
3
: a piece of lava from an erupting volcano
cindery adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cinder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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