ember

noun

em·​ber ˈem-bər 

1

: a glowing fragment (as of coal) from a fire

especially : one smoldering in ashes

2

embers plural : the smoldering remains of a fire

3

embers plural : slowly dying or fading emotions, memories, ideas, or responses still capable of being revived

the embers of his past

Examples of ember in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neighbor Saves Child From House Fire Over Thanksgiving Elsewhere, a Thanksgiving night fire in Larchmont, Los Angeles, led to a dramatic rescue after an off-duty paramedic, Richard Recinos, pulled 7-year-old Savannah Vasquez from a burning duplex as embers fell around them. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Strong Santa Ana winds were pushing the fire to the west, carrying embers up to a mile away, sparking new spot fires. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

For this, Safe Soss makes a heat-resistant, ember-proof tape designed for last-minute application. —New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025

The fire restarted later that night, likely caused by embers caught in the attic insulation, West Metro spokesperson Ronda Scholting said. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eymere, from Old Norse eimyrja; akin to Old English ǣmerge ashes, Latin urere to burn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ember

• ember day

Rhymes for ember

• member
• december
• dismember
• nonmember
• november
• remember
• september

Kids Definition

ember

noun

em·​ber ˈem-bər 

: a glowing piece of coal or wood from a fire

especially : such a piece smoldering in ashes