chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē 

plural chimneys

1

dialect : fireplace, hearth

2

: a vertical structure incorporated into a building and enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke

especially : the part of such a structure extending above a roof

3

: smokestack

4

: a tube usually of glass placed around a flame (as of a lamp)

5

: something resembling a chimney: such as

a

: a narrow cleft or passage in rock

b

: a tall column of rock on the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from superheated water issuing from a hydrothermal vent and rising through the column of rock

chimneylike

ˈchim-nē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of chimney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Natural airflow through the cabin is enhanced by a solar chimney design that utilizes rising warm air to improve interior ventilation. — New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026

At any rate, that man was right to inspect his chimney, because Hawthorne’s New England is rife with fire hazards. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

In her sleep, Katie Mattic saw the chimney of her house fall. — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Thursday's fire broke out when workers tried to remove the chimney's broken tip, though nobody was injured, officials said. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French chiminee, from Late Latin caminata, from Latin caminus furnace, fireplace, from Greek kaminos; perhaps akin to Greek kamara vault

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chimney

• chimney breast
• chimney pot
• chimney stack
• chimney sweep
• chimney swift
• smoke like a chimney

Kids Definition

chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē 

plural chimneys

1

: a vertical structure extending above the roof of a building for carrying off smoke

2

: a tube usually of glass around a flame (as of a lamp)

3

: something resembling a chimney