kindling

American  

[kind-ling] / ˈkɪnd lɪŋ /

noun

1. material that can be readily ignited, used in starting a fire.

2. the act of one who kindles. kindle.

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kindling British  

/ ˈkɪndlɪŋ /

noun

1. material for starting a fire, such as dry wood, straw, etc

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Other Word Forms

• unkindling adjective

Etymology

Origin of kindling

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; kindle ¹, -ing ¹

Compare meaning

How does kindling compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tinder vs. kindling

Example Sentences

He struck the stone against the rim of his monocle, raining sparks over the hearth kindling—once, twice, three times, until the sparks nestled into the tinder and began to grow into flames.

From Literature

We matter as much to him as a firestorm cares about kindling.

From Salon

I made an early start to split kindling against the day we put up the school stove.

From Literature

It was the excess on show on the social media accounts of politicians' children that provided the kindling for Nepal's Gen Z uprising last year.

From BBC

I was out at the woodpile, splitting kindling, when he came sailing out of the henhouse.

From Literature