creosote

1 of 2

noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt How to pronounce creosote (audio)
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

2 of 2

verb

creosoted; creosoting

transitive verb

: to treat with creosote

Examples of creosote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Wooly devil grows near drought-tolerant plants, including ocotillo, hedgehog cactus and creosote. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025 Finding new plants in the desert is yet another uncommon feat, with the wooly devil only thriving in scarce locations alongside drought-tolerant shrubs like ocotillo, hedgehog cactus, and creosote. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
So, then the question becomes: How long does creosote remain a risk in the soil? oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for creosote

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of creosote was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Creosote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creosote. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

creosote

1 of 2 noun
cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt How to pronounce creosote (audio)
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

2 of 2 verb
creosoted; creosoting
: to treat with creosote

Medical Definition

creosote

noun
cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt How to pronounce creosote (audio)
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

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