# hearthstone

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hearthstone
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a stone that sits in the middle of a fireplace. It is the part that the fire burns on and is often a symbol of a home or family.

For teachers: a stone slab or block forming the floor of a fireplace. Often used metaphorically to represent the home, family, or the hearth as a central domestic space.

## Examples

- The old hearthstone was covered in soot and ashes.
- The family gathered around the fireplace, their faces lit by the glow of the hearthstone.
- In many traditional folk tales, the hearthstone serves as a sacred boundary between the domestic world and the unknown dangers of the forest.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.