chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē How to pronounce chimney (audio)
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
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 adjective

Examples of chimney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Prevent bats from entering your home by using window screens and chimney caps. Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024 The commandant took care to hide the crematoria chimney from his children, erecting a garden wall and planting trees that obstructed their view from the house. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024 Builders can flip the bed to wake Mirabel up, spin the chimney to change the weather, and twist the shutters. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 There’s no chimney, so the smoke is trapped and the heat will last for hours. Lisa Lucas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 With reefs from 50 to 150 feet deep, strong currents going through basalt tunnels and chimneys, the west coast features a completely different landscape for divers. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 The body of a man who disappeared late last year was recently discovered in the chimney of a Georgia home, officials said Monday. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 Depending on the angle, chimneys constantly belching gray-black smoke are visible. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Jan. 2024 Its imposing façade, some of which is covered in wisteria, has ornate gables and tall chimneys, along with some traditional Jersey-style architectural elements such as an elaborate doorway with medieval-style buttressing. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chimney.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of chimney was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near chimney

Cite this Entry

“Chimney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimney. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chimney

noun
chim·​ney ˈchim-nē How to pronounce chimney (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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