carbon

noun

car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
plural carbons
1
a
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
often used before another noun
carbon atoms
carbon life forms
carbon fibers
see Chemical Elements Table
b
: carbon dioxide
Forests, plants and natural lands can help absorb and store excess carbon from the atmosphere.Alex Baumhardt
often used before another noun
carbon emissions
Oil companies … are investing in carbon capture projects as public and investor pressures mount over climate change.Paul Takahashi
2
: a carbon rod used in an arc lamp
3
a
: a sheet of carbon paper

Examples of carbon in a Sentence

a carbon of the document this new digital camera is a carbon of a well-known model costing almost twice as much
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.
The Danish capital is a pioneer in the pursuit of carbon neutrality, with an ambitious goal to become entirely carbon neutral by 2025. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Like their grass companions, broadleaf weeds work to control erosion and sequester carbon. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025 The resulting cellulosic fiber is circular, fully traceable, biodegradable and compostable with a reduced carbon and water footprint. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2024 When its mission concludes, most of the probe will incinerate, leaving only its carbon heat shield to orbit the sun for potentially billions of years, until the very end of the solar system itself. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carbon 

Word History

Etymology

French carbone, from Latin carbon-, carbo ember, charcoal

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near carbon

Cite this Entry

“Carbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon

noun
car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
1
: a nonmetallic element found more or less pure in nature (as in diamond and graphite) or as a part of coal and petroleum and of the bodies of living things or obtained artificially see element
2
a
: a sheet of carbon paper

Medical Definition

carbon

noun
car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
symbol C
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on carbon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!