fireplace
Americannoun
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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:
We went around the long dinner table, illuminated by a fireplace, and read what we’d scribbled.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
On her fireplace, an ornate gilded mirror from the 1940s she found at Sunbeam Vintage is flanked by porcelain figurines.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
The main living space in the dwelling features hardwood vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and a cozy wood-burning fireplace, while the spacious kitchen has plenty of room for a dining area.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Local property owner Jon Janikies testified that the bill would allow the public to “destroy” his entire outdoor patio, “which I have enhanced with an outdoor bed, sink, television, fireplace, tables and chairs.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
“You said that already,” Jack said as he moved the wood in the fireplace aside.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
The tabletop fireplaces were previously sold between 2018 and 2024 and ranged in price from $35 to $105.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
Uniformed doormen greet guests at the entrance, while chandeliers, fireplaces and classic architectural details reinforce the hotel’s historic character.
From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026
The brownstone has fireplaces, and all the woodwork is original.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
Several living areas offer guests the perfect place to lounge and come complete with multiple cozy fireplaces for the frigid New York winters.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 14, 2026
Harry thundered, and the powerful voice of Runcorn echoed through the Atrium: The wizards sealing the fireplaces froze.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
