ash1

Syllabification: (ash)

Pronunciation: /aSH/

Definition of ash

the powdery residue left after the burning of a substance:cigarette ash a day’s worth of paper burned to ashes
(ashes) the remains of something destroyed; ruins:the people are really living in the ashes of those traditions and institutions
(ashes) the remains of the human body after cremation or burning:his ashes were scattered on a Welsh mountainside
powdery material thrown out by a volcano:the plains have been showered by volcanic ash
the mineral component of an organic substance, as assessed from the residue left after burning:coal contains higher levels of ash than premium fuels

Phrases

(turn to) ashes in one's mouth: (become) something that is bitterly disappointing or worthless:they found words such as “heroic” turn to ashes in their mouths during the scandal
rise (or emerge) from the ashes: be renewed after destruction:Atlanta has risen from the ashes
[compare with rise like a phoenix from the ashes (see phoenix)]

Old English æsce, aexe, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch as and German Asche

Definition of ash in the British & World English dictionary