carbon paper
Americannoun
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paper faced with a preparation of carbon or other material, used between two sheets of plain paper in order to reproduce on the lower sheet that which is written or typed on the upper.
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Also called carbon tissue. a paper for making photographs by the carbon process.
noun
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Often shortened to: carbon. a thin sheet of paper coated on one side with a dark waxy pigment, often containing carbon, that is transferred by the pressure of writing or of typewriter keys onto the copying surface below
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another name for carbon tissue
Etymology
Origin of carbon paper
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By then, standard-issue electric typewriters and six-ply carbon paper had been replaced by far less visually interesting computers.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
The scientists then adhere the nanoparticles to carbon paper that is hydrophilic, or attracted to water molecules.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 5, 2024
No more feeding sheets of paper backed by carbon paper with attached onion skin for copies.
From Salon ● May 4, 2019
The term “carbon copy” refers to the old carbon paper method of making copies that was popular before copying machines.
From Encyclopedia.com ● Feb. 5, 2018
Offices smell of carbon paper, or cigar smoke, or brandy, or perfume.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
