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

The smoke rose from the chimney of the iconic Sistine Chapel, watched by faithful in a packed St. Peter's Square. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Clergy on a rooftop terrace in Vatican City waiting to see the smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. —Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025

The moment carried special meaning for Catholics in the Bay Area and across the United States, as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling an announcement that quickly spread across the globe. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

On the first day, black smoke billowed from the chapel chimney, signifying that the initial vote was not conclusive. —Chantelle Lee, Time, 8 May 2025

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