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

After a line of flames had been extinguished, the ash devil rose from the embers. —Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026

The company showed off a backpack model that can be used by wildfire ground crews to put out small ember fires, but with one huge advantage. —John Ramos, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Low-hanging branches can catch fire, and dry leaves or shrubs nearby can ignite from stray embers. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

Kopitar, who bid a tearful adieu to the fans in his final regular-season home game, received immense support from the crowd on hand in the dying embers of the game. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026

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