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ashtray

American

[ash-trey] / ˈæʃˌtreɪ /

noun

a receptacle for tobacco ashes of smokers.

ashtray British

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of ashtray

First recorded in 1885–90; ash ¹ + tray ¹

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.

Fiji's ambassador to the UN, Filipo Tarakinikini, wrote on social media in April that the Vuda coast north of Nadi "must not become the Pacific's ashtray".

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed frequently comments on his posts and recently sent him a branded cigar ashtray.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

“I bought the first one of these on EBay,” Rogen said of a standing Maurice Chalvignac ashtray that looks like the lovechild of a dumbbell and a Q-tip.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2024

“Well, if you’re not doing anything . . . I don’t know. I feel like I’m going back two years of my life. I don’t even think about it anymore. Nice ashtray by the way.”

From Salon • May 16, 2024

He felt Dana’s ashtray breath on his right ear: “How come you don’t got your boots on today? Who ever heard of a cowgirl wearing Air Jordans?”

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023