ashtray

[ ash-trey ]

/ ˈæʃˌtreɪ /

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noun

a receptacle for tobacco ashes of smokers.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ashtray

First recorded in 1885–90; ash¹ + tray¹

Words nearby ashtray

Ash-Shaytān, Ashtabula, Ashton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Ashtoreth, ashtray, Ashur, ʿAshuraʾ, Ashurbanipal, Ashurnasirpal II, Ashwaubenon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ashtray in a sentence

Can’t forget the rocks and shells in the ashtray, the masks slung around the rearview mirror, or the dinosaur toy glued to the dash.
All the Bad Habits We’re Hanging On to in 2022|abarronian|December 29, 2021|Outside Online
His image on the book cover — smiling in a suit, holding a glass half-full of red wine and a lit Camel cigarette in an ashtray — conveys his old-school approach to politics.
In new book, John Boehner says today’s GOP is unrecognizable to traditional conservatives and dishes on his time in politics|Paul Kane, Colby Itkowitz, Aaron Blake|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
Either way, “I will come out stronger,” she says, stubbing her cigarette in a glass ashtray.
The 'Badass Chief of Staff' of Turkey's Opposition Faces Years in Jail After Challenging Erdogan's Power. She's Not Backing Down|Joseph Hincks / Istanbul|February 24, 2021|Time
On the desk, an ashtray is filled with 23-year-old cigarette butts and a gas mask.
The KGB Welcomes You to Estonia’s Hotel Viru. Please Mind the Hidden Bugs|Nina Strochlic|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A glass of vodka sat next to the ashtray on his night table.
Almost Famous: A Father's Day Story|Alex Belth|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dice cracks a window so he can chain-smoke Marlboro Lights, using a glass of water as an ashtray.
Andrew Dice Clay on ‘Blue Jasmine,’ His Alleged Misogyny, and More|Marlow Stern|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ten thousand; two in the front, two in the back, the rest in the ashtray.
Can the Holocaust be Funny?|Tom Doran|April 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He promptly offered an explanation for that slam and for his dismissal of Vice President Biden as “dumb as an ashtray.”
Roger Ailes Couldn’t Care Less What You Think About His Obama Comments|Howard Kurtz|March 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jason stopped shaking the dice and looked at them quizzically, then reached over and grabbed the ashtray.
Deathworld|Harry Harrison
Hamilton carefully placed his cigar in the ashtray and tried to put a match into his mouth.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan
Then I came across something that looked like an ashtray with a blue electric shimmer obscuring the bottom of the bowl.
The Old Die Rich|Horace Leonard Gold
He would disgorge from the pit of his favourite ashtray all the toxins lodged in the burnt up tobacco.
The Land of Look Behind|Paul Cameron Brown
(He quenches his cigar angrily on Bloom's ear) Where's that Goddamned cursed ashtray?
Ulysses|James Joyce

British Dictionary definitions for ashtray

ashtray

/ (ˈæʃˌtreɪ) /

noun

a receptacle for tobacco ash, cigarette butts, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012