carbonaceous

adjective

car·​bo·​na·​ceous ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shəs 

1

: relating to, containing, or composed of carbon

2

: rich in carbon

Examples of carbonaceous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After observation, scientists learned the meteorite was a CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite -- an exceptionally rare and primitive type of meteorite, according to a paper published in Science Advances on Wednesday. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Researchers initially determined the Hillsborough remnants belong to one of two types of primitive meteorites known as CM-type carbonaceous chondrites. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Broadly speaking, resource discussions often focus on three categories of asteroid — water-rich carbonaceous asteroids, metallic asteroids rich in iron-nickel alloys, and stony asteroids that contain iron, nickel, and magnesium. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Chondrites are divided into three families—ordinary, enstatite and carbonaceous—with the key difference being how oxidized their iron-bearing minerals are, much like the difference between a shiny unoxidized iron nail and one that’s rusty from heavy oxidation. — Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carbonaceous

• diatomaceous
• unostentatious
• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous

Kids Definition

carbonaceous

adjective

car·​bo·​na·​ceous ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shəs 

: relating to, containing, or made up of carbon