charcoal

noun char·coal \ ˈchär-ˌkōl \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Definition of charcoal

1 : a dark or black porous carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances (as from wood by charring in a kiln from which air is excluded)

2 a : a piece or pencil of fine charcoal used in drawing

b : a charcoal drawing

3 : a dark gray

See charcoal defined for English-language learners

See charcoal defined for kids

Recent Examples of charcoal from the Web

Everyday heating and cooking appliances like charcoal grills and furnaces can create CO, as can devices like generators and running cars.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018
Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill on high for 15 minutes.

— adam ried, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Switch it up with lamb burgers instead of beef," 13 July 2018
Coddington makes this suggestion: After lighting piles of charcoal, put the lid on the grill and mostly close the bottom vent.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Ribs 101: Pitmasters offer advice on cooking ribs," 1 July 2018
Chambers told Wells that it had been caused by a piece of hot charcoal during a cookout.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "The mom's boyfriend said her son might grow up to be gay. Now he's accused of his murder.," 19 June 2018
Radiocarbon dating of charcoal found at the site, however, reveals that it was abandoned by 1400.

— james rogers, Fox News, "Ancient Native American village in Louisiana reveals its secrets," 23 May 2018
For more smoke, use more wood since charcoal isn’t as smoky.

— caron golden, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Grilling: not just a man's world," 21 May 2018
Starting on the 12th, the unidentified robber entered the aforementioned carport at around 5:45 p.m., nicking two bags of charcoal, read the sheriff's report.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "They call him the 'BBQ Bandit,' but so far his crime-spree lacks some key ingredients | Miami Herald," 11 May 2018
Theft Liquor, a cooler and a bag of charcoal were reported stolen April 28 from Jewel, 10203 Grand Ave.

— deborah kadin, chicagotribune.com, "Car reported stolen from Hart Court in Franklin Park, police say," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'charcoal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of charcoal

Middle English charcole

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

charcoal

verb

Definition of charcoal

charcoaled; charcoaling; charcoals

transitive verb

: charbroil

Recent Examples of charcoal from the Web

Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File All that remained in the rubble was a charcoaled safe that contained some of the company’s accounts receivable and payable records.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "The family businessman who helped grow Norton Tire into a national symbol," 4 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of charcoal

1965

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CHARCOAL Defined for English Language Learners

charcoal

noun

Definition of charcoal for English Language Learners

: a hard black material that is made by burning wood with a small amount of air
: a dark gray color

CHARCOAL Defined for Kids

charcoal

noun char·coal \ ˈchär-ˌkōl \

Definition of charcoal for Students

: a black or dark absorbent fuel made by heating wood in the absence of air

Medical Dictionary

charcoal

noun char·coal \ ˈchär-ˌkōl \

medical Definition of charcoal

: a dark or black porous carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances (as from wood by charring in a kiln from which air is excluded) — see activated charcoal