carbon

[ kahr-buhn ]

noun

1. 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. : C; : 12.011; : 6; : (of diamond) 3.51 at 20°C; (of graphite) 2.26 at 20°C.
2. carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds that are emitted into the atmosphere and cause rising temperatures:

   the carbon produced by burning fossil fuels.

3. carbon copy.
4. a sheet of carbon paper.
5. Electricity.
   1. the carbon rod through which current is conducted between the electrode holder and the arc in carbon arc lighting or welding.
   2. the rod or plate, composed in part of carbon, used in batteries.

adjective

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

   to reduce carbon emissions.

carbon

/ ˈkɑːbən /

noun

1. 1. 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
   2. ( as modifier )

      a carbon compound

2. See carbon copy, carbon paper
   short for carbon paper carbon copy
3. a carbon electrode used in a carbon-arc light or in carbon-arc welding
4. a rod or plate, made of carbon, used in some types of battery

carbon

/ kär′bən /

1. 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.
2. See Periodic Table

carbon

1. 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

Carbon forms the basis for all living tissue.

Derived Forms

• ˈcarbonous, adjective

Other Words From

• carbon·less adjective
• non·carbon noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbon¹

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

Example Sentences

This month, Elon Musk donated $100 million toward a prize for carbon-capture ideas.

From Outside Online

The RS model has a five-layer, carbon-reinforced plastic top, which Audi says is a first for the segment.

From 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.

From 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.

From Quartz

China, the world’s largest emitter, has promised to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2060.

From Washington Post

It reacts very readily with oxygen by burning smokelessly, with carbon dioxide and water as its byproducts.

From The Daily Beast

Methane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means “containing hydrogen and carbon.”

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Other psychiatrists attempted to treat schizophrenia with carbon dioxide gas and artificially-induced comas.

From The Daily Beast

And “stinking rich” is the smell of zero carbon emissions at eco-friendly tech company campuses.

From The Daily Beast

What are a few paltry, lumps of crystallised carbon compared to a galaxy of a million million suns?

From Project Gutenberg

The carbon dioxid evolved distends the stomach, and its outline can easily be determined by percussion.

From Project Gutenberg

Carbon is the largest constituent of plants, and forms, in round numbers, about 50 per cent of their weight when dry.

From Project Gutenberg

The particular phenomena of vegetation also afford abundant evidence that humus cannot be the only source of carbon.

From Project Gutenberg

The composition of animal caseine differs from this principally in the amount of carbon.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• graphite
• soot