carbon

[ kahr-buhn ]

/ ˈkɑr bən /

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See synonyms for carbon on Thesaurus.com

noun

Chemistry. a widely distributed element that forms organic compounds in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, etc., and that occurs in a pure state as diamond and graphite, and in an impure state as charcoal. Symbol: C; atomic weight: 12.011; atomic number: 6; specific gravity: (of diamond) 3.51 at 20°C; (of graphite) 2.26 at 20°C.

carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds that are emitted into the atmosphere and cause rising temperatures: the carbon produced by burning fossil fuels.

carbon copy.

a sheet of carbon paper.

Electricity.

the carbon rod through which current is conducted between the electrode holder and the arc in carbon arc lighting or welding.
the rod or plate, composed in part of carbon, used in batteries.

adjective

pertaining to or noting the element carbon or any of its compounds, especially carbon dioxide: to reduce carbon emissions.

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Origin of carbon

1780–90; <French carbone, coinage based on Latin carbōn- (stem of carbō) charcoal

OTHER WORDS FROM carbon

car·bon·less, adjectivenon·car·bon, noun

Words nearby carbon

carbolize, carbo load, carbo-loading, Carboloy, car bomb, carbon, carbon 12, carbon 13, carbon 14, carbon-14 dating, carbonaceous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use carbon in a sentence

This month, Elon Musk donated $100 million toward a prize for carbon-capture ideas.
Can Billionaires Really Save Us from Climate Disaster?|Heather Hansman|February 12, 2021|Outside Online
The RS model has a five-layer, carbon-reinforced plastic top, which Audi says is a first for the segment.
Audi’s e-Tron GT charges up fast, but turns even faster|Stan Horaczek|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science
The fashion industry is notoriously wasteful, accounting for 10 percent of global carbon emissions and putting as much as nine million tons of textiles in landfills each year.
Tech-savvy fashion forecasters already know what you’ll be wearing in two years|Rachael Zisk|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science
Although unconnected, the moves show that despite a general drop in spending because of the pandemic, some energy companies are willing to invest heavily to get big low-carbon projects moving ahead of their competitors.
Four huge new energy deals show the future of decarbonization|Tim McDonnell|February 9, 2021|Quartz

China, the world’s largest emitter, has promised to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2060.
Countries must ramp up climate pledges by 80 percent to hit key Paris target, study finds|Brady Dennis|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
It reacts very readily with oxygen by burning smokelessly, with carbon dioxide and water as its byproducts.
Methane on Mars: Life or Just Gas?|Matthew R. Francis|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Methane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means “containing hydrogen and carbon.”
Methane on Mars: Life or Just Gas?|Matthew R. Francis|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Al Gore, however, sold his Current TV channel to Al Jazeera, which is funded by the royal family of famously carbon neutral Qatar.
Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. O’Rourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other psychiatrists attempted to treat schizophrenia with carbon dioxide gas and artificially-induced comas.
Schizophrenia Isn’t One Disorder but Eight|Samantha Allen|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And “stinking rich” is the smell of zero carbon emissions at eco-friendly tech company campuses.
Up To a Point: Robber Barons Make Way For Robber Nerds|P. J. O’Rourke|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What are a few paltry, lumps of crystallised carbon compared to a galaxy of a million million suns?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
The carbon dioxid evolved distends the stomach, and its outline can easily be determined by percussion.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Carbon is the largest constituent of plants, and forms, in round numbers, about 50 per cent of their weight when dry.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
The particular phenomena of vegetation also afford abundant evidence that humus cannot be the only source of carbon.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
The composition of animal caseine differs from this principally in the amount of carbon.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for carbon

carbon

/ (ˈkɑːbən) /

noun

a nonmetallic element existing in the three crystalline forms: graphite, diamond, and buckminsterfullerene: occurring in carbon dioxide, coal, oil, and all organic compounds. The isotope carbon-12 has been adopted as the standard for atomic wt; carbon-14, a radioisotope with a half-life of 5700 years, is used in radiocarbon dating and as a tracer. Symbol: C; atomic no: 6; atomic wt: 12.011; valency: 2, 3, or 4; relative density: 1.8–2.1 (amorphous), 1.9–2.3 (graphite), 3.15–3.53 (diamond); sublimes at 3367±25°C; boiling pt: 4827°C
(as modifier)a carbon compound

short for carbon paper, carbon copy

a carbon electrode used in a carbon-arc light or in carbon-arc welding

a rod or plate, made of carbon, used in some types of battery

Derived forms of carbon

carbonous, adjective

Word Origin for carbon

C18: from French carbone, from Latin carbō charcoal, dead or glowing coal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for carbon

carbon

[ kär′bən ]

A naturally abundant, nonmetallic element that occurs in all organic compounds and can be found in all known forms of life. Diamonds and graphite are pure forms, and carbon is a major constituent of coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Carbon generally forms four covalent bonds with other atoms in larger molecules. Atomic number 6; atomic weight 12.011; sublimation point above 3,500°C; boiling point 4,827°C; specific gravity of amorphous carbon 1.8 to 2.1, of diamond 3.15 to 3.53, of graphite 1.9 to 2.3; valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

Other words from carbon

carbonaceous adjective

Cultural definitions for carbon

carbon

A chemical element; its symbol is C. The carbon nucleus has six protons and six or more neutrons; six electrons are in orbit around the carbon nucleus. (See hydrocarbons and organic molecules (see also organic molecule).)

notes for carbon

Carbon forms the basis for all living tissue.

carbon

Origin of carbon

OTHER WORDS FROM carbon

Words nearby carbon

Words related to carbon

How to use carbon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for carbon

Derived forms of carbon

Word Origin for carbon

Scientific definitions for carbon

Other words from carbon

Cultural definitions for carbon

notes for carbon