decarbonize

[ dee-kahr-buh-nahyz ]

/ diˈkɑr bəˌnaɪz /

Save This Word!

verb (used with object), de·car·bon·ized, de·car·bon·iz·ing.

to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of (a household, industry, country, etc.): Our expertise is in designing new ways to decarbonize our economy, using solar energy and renewable carbon to replace fossil fuels.

decarburize.

verb (used without object)

to reduce the carbon output of the activities of a household, industry, country, etc.: The world is not decarbonizing fast enough to reach global climate targets.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, de·car·bon·ise .

Origin of decarbonize

First recorded in 1815–25; de- + carbonize

OTHER WORDS FROM decarbonize

de·car·bon·i·za·tion

[dee-kahr-buh-nahy-zey-shuhn], /diˌkɑr bə naɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, nounde·car·bon·iz·er, noun

Words nearby decarbonize

decapitate, decapod, Decapolis, decapsulate, decarbonate, decarbonize, decarbonylate, decarboxylase, decarboxylate, decarboxylation, decarburize

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

How to use decarbonize in a sentence

We need the premiums to be so low that everyone will be able to decarbonize.
Bill Gates: Here's a Formula That Explains Where We Need to Invest in Climate Innovation|Bill Gates|January 22, 2021|Time
The benefit of the work that we’re doing is it supports not only the development of that export market, but also provides an alternate energy source for our own operations so that we can decarbonize more rapidly.
One million text messages and betting on green hydrogen: A Q&A with Fortescue Metals CEO Elizabeth Gaines|Erika Fry|December 7, 2020|Fortune
The deal represents the growing might of a group of fast-moving, low-carbon utilities companies—increasingly coming from abroad—in the race to decarbonize America’s energy sector.
In pursuit of ‘net zero,’ Spain’s Iberdrola bets big on America|kdunn6|October 21, 2020|Fortune
Concrete production currently produces about 7% of global emissions, the IEA says, more than double the amount produced by global aviation—itself a notoriously difficult-to-decarbonize sector.
To meet net zero emissions targets, China—and the rest of the world—needs these technologies|kdunn6|September 24, 2020|Fortune

Carlos Alvarado Quesada was elected president of Costa Rica in 2018, putting efforts to decarbonize his country’s economy at the center of his administration—but his concern for the environment also extends to orbit.
Costa Rica will be the next hub for a space-junk hunting radar|Tim Fernholz|July 23, 2020|Quartz

British Dictionary definitions for decarbonize

decarbonize

decarbonise

/ (diːˈkɑːbəˌnaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to remove carbon from (the walls of the combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine)Also: decoke, decarburize

Derived forms of decarbonize

decarbonization or decarbonisation, noundecarbonizer or decarboniser, noun

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