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

One of these is the Lost City, a vast hydrothermal field at the bottom of the Atlantic—a kind of unique prehistoric hotbed of massive, dramatic chimney spires venting chemical reactions that scientists have been studying for clues to how life on Earth (and other planets) began. —Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025

Stock image of smoke streaming from an industrial chimney. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

The charred shell of his car, motorcycle and chimney of his house and the rest of the debris still haven’t been cleaned up, persistent reminders of what was. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

That being said, chimney cleaning is another task that should be handled by a professional who specializes in that area and has the right tools and knowledge to do it safely and effectively. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 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