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

In Summit, New Jersey, fire crews responded to a blaze at a multi-unit home after an apparent lightning strike hit the chimney and caused a fire in the attic, CNN affiliate WABC reported. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

New additions this year in Aurora will include A Little Slice of Europe, featuring European cheeses; Biro Kurtos, serving chimney cakes; and Steincenter, offering a new selection of steins. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Branches within 10 feet of chimneys would have to be removed. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Many houses were built with cupolas (basically the summer version of a chimney), which use a stack effect to naturally send warm air upward and out. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 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