fireplace
Americannoun
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fireplaces
plural
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the part of a chimney that opens into a room and in which fuel is burned; hearth.
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any open structure, usually of masonry, for keeping a fire, as at a campsite.
noun
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an open recess in a wall of a room, at the base of a chimney, etc, for a fire; hearth
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an authorized place or installation for outside cooking, esp by a roadside
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fireplace
Explanation
A fireplace is a structure built into the wall of a house or building where a flame can be safely kindled, providing warmth and a cozy atmosphere, especially on cold nights. Often made of brick, stone, or metal, a fireplace not only warms a room but also creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere that offers relief from the cold. Historically, fireplaces were the heart of the home, essential for heating and cooking. In medieval times, they were often located in the center of the room, allowing the smoke to escape through a hole in the roof. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that chimneys became common, making fireplaces more efficient and less smoky.
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.
See Examples For:
That’s the break that puts your ski day to rest and puts your body in front of the fireplace in the lodge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
It was walking distance from the subway and had a lovely if nonfunctional fireplace, and when the baby bunnies nested in our herb garden, I thought, Yes.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
If you have a fireplace, lighting a fire to warm the room you're in can be cheaper than turning on the central heating for your whole house.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
A wood-burning cast-iron stove serves as both fireplace and heater in the center of the living space.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
A good fireplace that actually gave off heat was a luxury!
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
According to the property listing, the residence features imported marble, hardwood flooring, intricate millwork, architectural columns, and three fireplaces.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
The sets have too many doors, the scenes have a delirious number of extras and the actors yell their lines over the distracting clatter of crackling fireplaces, beeping machines and ticking clocks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
The GIFs of the Owens’ Massachusetts estate, with its cozy fireplaces perfect for pajama lounging, still blow up Tumblr every October.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Built in 1912, this European-inspired Bratenahl home has four fireplaces, an elevator and original wood floors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Away from the entrance hall, they wandered through room after empty room of paneled wood, stone fireplaces, tiled floors.
From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
