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fireplace

/ˌfaɪərˈpleɪs/
/ˈfaɪəpleɪs/
IPA guide

Other forms: fireplaces

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.

Definitions of fireplace
  1. noun
    a built-in, open space in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
    “the fireplace was so large you could walk inside it”
    synonyms: hearth, open fireplace
    see moresee less
    types:
    fire
    a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning
    cookfire
    a fire for cooking
    type of:
    niche, recess
    an enclosure that is set back or indented
Pronunciation
US
/ˌfaɪərˈpleɪs/
UK
/ˈfaɪəpleɪs/
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