fireplace

American  

[fahyuhr-pleys] / ˈfaɪərˌpleɪs /

noun

1. the part of a chimney that opens into a room and in which fuel is burned; hearth.

2. any open structure, usually of masonry, for keeping a fire, as at a campsite.

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fireplace British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌpleɪs /

noun

1. an open recess in a wall of a room, at the base of a chimney, etc, for a fire; hearth

2. an authorized place or installation for outside cooking, esp by a roadside

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Etymology

Origin of fireplace

First recorded in 1645–55; fire + place

Example Sentences

His new foster family, the Finnegans, seemed nice enough if you only looked at the photos on the fireplace mantel—a mother, a father, and two kids of their own.

From Literature

Every single plan I’d made went scampering over to the fireplace, shot up the chimney, and disappeared into the sky.

From Literature

The camping guidebook referred to Magpie Island as a “primitive facility” which meant the hiking trails and campsites were cleared, but there was no water available and no picnic tables or fireplaces.

From Literature

The living area features a large window that allows natural light to flood inside and a cozy fireplace.

From MarketWatch

If I really want to sound pretentious, I’d call the Super Bowl the final fireplace of the digital era, with a live audience that dwarfs every other show in the U.S., even Bluey.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chimney
• furnace
• stove