creosote

1 of 2

noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of tar derived from wood and especially from beech wood

2

: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative

3

: a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from especially wood smoke on the walls of a chimney

4

: creosote bush

creosote

2 of 2

verb

creosoted; creosoting

transitive verb

: to treat with creosote

Examples of creosote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Do not burn paper, plastic, or wet wood (wet wood can lead to creosote built-up!). —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024

Arizona's west desert:A California company wants to use Arizona groundwater to make 'green hydrogen' fuel Water in the canal, but not for the town Bouse is a stubborn bastion of humanity in a world of creosote, mountains and cows. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 25 Nov. 2024

Verb

So, then the question becomes: How long does creosote remain a risk in the soil? —oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Kreosot, from Greek kreas flesh + sōtēr preserver, from sōzein to preserve, from sōs safe (probably akin to Sanskrit tavīti he is strong); from its antiseptic properties — more at raw

First Known Use

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing creosote

• creosote bush

Kids Definition

creosote

1 of 2 noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a brownish oily liquid obtained from coal tar and used especially to preserve wood

2

: a dark flammable tar left in a chimney especially from the smoke of a wood fire

3

: creosote bush

creosote

2 of 2 verb

creosoted; creosoting

: to treat with creosote

Medical Definition

creosote

noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of wood tar especially from beech wood and used especially as a disinfectant and as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis

2

: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative