carbon

noun

car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
plural carbons
1
a
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
often used before another noun
carbon atoms
carbon life forms
carbon fibers
see Chemical Elements Table
b
: carbon dioxide
Forests, plants and natural lands can help absorb and store excess carbon from the atmosphere.Alex Baumhardt
often used before another noun
carbon emissions
Oil companies … are investing in carbon capture projects as public and investor pressures mount over climate change.Paul Takahashi
2
: a carbon rod used in an arc lamp
3
a
: a sheet of carbon paper

Examples of carbon in a Sentence

a carbon of the document this new digital camera is a carbon of a well-known model costing almost twice as much
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Carbonates, which include calcite, dolomite, aragonite, magnesite, and siderite, are formed by ions of carbon and oxygen dissolved in water that react with metal ions. New Atlas, 12 July 2025 California’s relatively high energy prices are driven, in part, by progressive policy preferences, such as the imposition of the nation’s first cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions. Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Google saw a 27% annual increase in electricity in its 2025 environmental review, along with a 51% increase in carbon emissions since 2019, The Guardian reports. PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 The terminal is at the cornerstone of SFO’s plan to become the first airport in the world to accomplish zero carbon emissions, zero waste going into landfill, and zero net energy. AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for carbon

Word History

Etymology

French carbone, from Latin carbon-, carbo ember, charcoal

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbon was in 1788

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbon

noun
car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
1
: a nonmetallic element found more or less pure in nature (as in diamond and graphite) or as a part of coal and petroleum and of the bodies of living things or obtained artificially see element
2
a
: a sheet of carbon paper

Medical Definition

carbon

noun
car·​bon ˈkär-bən How to pronounce carbon (audio)
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
symbol C
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on carbon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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