carbon

[ kahr-buhn ]
See synonyms for carbon on Thesaurus.com
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. 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.

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

  1. a sheet of carbon paper.

  2. 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
  1. pertaining to or noting the element carbon or any of its compounds, especially carbon dioxide: to reduce carbon emissions.

Origin of carbon

1
1780–90; <French carbone, coinage based on Latin carbōn- (stem of carbō) charcoal

Other words from carbon

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

Words Nearby carbon

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How to use carbon in a sentence

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

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

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

Origin of carbon

1
C18: from French carbone, from Latin carbō charcoal, dead or glowing coal

Derived forms of carbon

  • carbonous, adjective

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

[ kärbən ]


C
  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. See Periodic Table.

Other words from carbon

  • carbonaceous adjective

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.