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• ashes
  ashes

  plural noun

  ruins or remains, as after destruction or burning
• Ashes
  Ashes

  plural noun

  a cremated cricket stump in a pottery urn now preserved at Lord's. Victory or defeat in test matches between England and Australia is referred to as winning, losing, or retaining the Ashes

ashes

¹ British  

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. ruins or remains, as after destruction or burning

   the city was left in ashes

2. the remains of a human body after cremation

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Ashes ² British  

/ ˈæʃɪz /

plural noun

1. a cremated cricket stump in a pottery urn now preserved at Lord's. Victory or defeat in test matches between England and Australia is referred to as winning, losing, or retaining the Ashes

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Etymology

Origin of Ashes

from the mock obituary of English cricket in The Times in 1882 after a great Australian victory at the Oval, in which it was said that the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia

Example Sentences

The Durham director of cricket replaces Luke Wright, who stepped down for personal reasons after the Ashes, and becomes the first foreigner to chair England's selection panel.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

England held a review after the Ashes was blighted by poor performances on the field and problems off it.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Of the pace bowlers who played for England during the Ashes, Jofra Archer will not be ready for the first Test because of his Indian Premier League commitments and Brydon Carse has a broken wrist.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

He will take the place of Zak Crawley, who has been dropped following the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Ashes, Bran thought, old and faint, but ashes.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin