An ashtray is a receptacle used by smokers to deposit the ash and butts of cigarettes and cigars. 

Most ashtrays exhibit three breaks at the edges, two of which correspond to the width of a cigarette and one to that of the diameter of a cigar. These breaks serve as rests for the cigarette(s) or cigar while still burning. The simplest, most common ashtray design is that of a circle with a hollow cylindrical rim around a flat surface, similar to a drinking container such as a glass or cup but larger in diameter.

However, this is not the only design of ashtrays: they are widespread homeware, therefore designs are plentiful. Other variations include car ashtrays to public ashtrays in toilets or other public places, provided by councils for the pourpose of keeping towns and cities clean.

Ashtrays are typically manufactured from glass, stoneware, porcelain or metals such as silver or aluminium; however, some are made of wood, marble or clay.

Some ashtrays are branded with the logo of a company (such as a cigarette manufacturer) for the purpose of promotion.