kindling

noun

kin·​dling ˈkin(d)-liŋ 

ˈkin-lən

: easily combustible material for starting a fire

Examples of kindling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet skepticism about the lofty valuations and massive spending plans of major AI players had been building like a pile of dry kindling. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025

The corporate handout is also adding kindling to a feud brewing within factions of the right wing in American politics. —Ayurella Horn-Muller, Wired News, 20 Dec. 2025

This would also be a pretty way to store kindling by the fireplace. —Grace Gallagher, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Nov. 2025

The lid also helps to prevent spills or curious pets from snacking on the extra kindling. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kindling

• swindling
• rekindling

Kids Definition

kindling

noun

kin·​dling ˈkin-(d)liŋ 

: material that burns easily and is used to start a fire

Medical Definition

kindling

noun

kind·​ling ˈkin-dliŋ 

: the electrophysiological changes that occur in the brain as a result of repeated intermittent exposure to a subthreshold electrical or chemical stimulus (as one causing seizures) so that there develops a usually permanent decrease in the threshold of excitability