fireplace
Americannoun
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fireplaces
plural
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the part of a chimney that opens into a room and in which fuel is burned; hearth.
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any open structure, usually of masonry, for keeping a fire, as at a campsite.
noun
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an open recess in a wall of a room, at the base of a chimney, etc, for a fire; hearth
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an authorized place or installation for outside cooking, esp by a roadside
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fireplace
Explanation
A fireplace is a structure built into the wall of a house or building where a flame can be safely kindled, providing warmth and a cozy atmosphere, especially on cold nights. Often made of brick, stone, or metal, a fireplace not only warms a room but also creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere that offers relief from the cold. Historically, fireplaces were the heart of the home, essential for heating and cooking. In medieval times, they were often located in the center of the room, allowing the smoke to escape through a hole in the roof. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that chimneys became common, making fireplaces more efficient and less smoky.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“The main living spaces revolve around a dramatic fireplace and connect fluidly to a generous dining area with a sleek wet bar—every detail engineered for both aesthetic impact and effortless use,” the description continued.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Our wood-paneled library with a fireplace, where I keep my Emmys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Kitaj is the most melancholy of all the likenesses, and the only one that Ashbery did not tuck away but placed against a fireplace in an upstairs sitting room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
The property spans 10,823 square feet and features a grand foyer with black marble columns, an expansive hallway, and a chic fireplace.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
Jack quickly ran to the prince, who was chained to the wall opposite the fireplace.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Built in 1912, this European-inspired Bratenahl home has four fireplaces, an elevator and original wood floors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Two fireplaces and built-in shelving throughout the home evoke immediate feelings of coziness, and there are three living room spaces to enjoy.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Video of the fire aftermath on Sunday showed scores of homes burned to the ground, with only their brick fireplaces and foundations remaining, while other houses nearby escaped practically unscathed.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
The tabletop fireplaces were previously sold between 2018 and 2024 and ranged in price from $35 to $105.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
Mom and Lori admired the wide-planked floorboards, the big fireplaces, and the ceiling beams made from locust posts, with gouge marks from the ax that had felled them.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
