soot

1 of 2

noun

: a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke
especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke

soot

2 of 2

verb

sooted; sooting; soots

transitive verb

: to coat or cover with soot

Examples of soot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
In addition, masks also help people from inhaling toxic chemicals and substances from air pollution, which is an important concern during wildfires and areas with high soot pollution. Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin has announced his intention to re-evaluate limits on soot pollution, which were last tightened in 2024, claiming the tighter rules restrict business activity. Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
The wildfires produced the heaviest smoke and soot the region has seen in recent memory. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for soot

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sōt; akin to Old Irish suide soot, Old English sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soot was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soot. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

soot

noun
ˈsu̇t,
ˈsət,
ˈsüt
: a black powder formed when something is burned
especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke

More from Merriam-Webster on soot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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