Ashes meaning : The solid remains of a fire. The nonaqueous remains of a material subjected to any complete oxidation process. Fine particles from a volcano, volcanic ash. (in the plural) Human (or animal) remains after cremation. What remains after a catastrophe. A gray colour, like that of ash. To reduce to a residue of ash. See ashing. To hit the end off of a burning cigar or cigarette. To hit the end off (a burning cigar or cigarette). (mostly used in the passive) To cover newly-sown fields of crops with ashes. A shade tree of the genus Fraxinus. The wood of this tree. The traditional name for the ae ligature (æ), as used in Old English.