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 United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini, wrote on social media on Monday that the Vuda coast north of Nadi "must not become the Pacific's ashtray".

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 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

Rogue Paq Poppy Party Ashtray – The ultimate host’s ashtray, the Poppy Party Ashtray looks like a beautiful poppy, in polished brass or nickel-plated finishes.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Five months in, I found myself on the floor, surrounded by the shattered remains of the porcelain ashtray I’d bought him.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2024

The boys grumbled but went downstairs with Ma and Ba to wash up, while I cleaned out Ba’s ashtray and pulled my nightgown from the chifforobe.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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