eternal flame
Americannoun
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a contained fire ignited ceremonially and kept burning, usually in a public place and as a perpetual memorial or symbol.
On our trip to the United States we visited the grave of President John F. Kennedy, where there is an eternal flame.
The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima features an eternal flame symbolizing the hope for a world free of nuclear weapons.
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a fire ignited naturally or accidentally, sometimes burning underground, and fueled by deposits of coal or natural gas that keep it from going out.
At the Burning Mountain in Australia, an eternal flame has been slowly burning underground for 6,000 years.
Etymology
Origin of eternal flame
First recorded in 1590–1600
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.
During the ceremonial welcome, King Charles performed the re-kindling of the eternal flame using the Comite de la Flamme passed to him by Mr Macron.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2023
In a circular room, pilgrims meditate before the eternal flame.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 1, 2023
Mr. Biden watched the laying of a wreath and rekindled the eternal flame in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 13, 2022
At a memorial ceremony, Mr. Biden is expected to rekindle the eternal flame and lay a wreath.
From New York Times ● Jul. 13, 2022
Or, perhaps, to tend it carefully like an eternal flame: a reminder of light and goodness that would never—could never—set anything ablaze.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
