creosote

1 of 2

noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of tar derived from wood and especially from beech wood

2

: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative

3

: a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from especially wood smoke on the walls of a chimney

4

: creosote bush

creosote

2 of 2

verb

creosoted; creosoting

transitive verb

: to treat with creosote

Examples of creosote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The sunbaked air smells like creosote. —Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The chimney sweep will identify whether your chimney requires cleaning to remove creosote build-up, animal nests, or debris. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

So, then the question becomes: How long does creosote remain a risk in the soil? —oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Kreosot, from Greek kreas flesh + sōtēr preserver, from sōzein to preserve, from sōs safe (probably akin to Sanskrit tavīti he is strong); from its antiseptic properties — more at raw

First Known Use

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing creosote

• creosote bush

Rhymes for creosote

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat
• underwrote

Kids Definition

creosote

1 of 2 noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a brownish oily liquid obtained from coal tar and used especially to preserve wood

2

: a dark flammable tar left in a chimney especially from the smoke of a wood fire

3

: creosote bush

creosote

2 of 2 verb

creosoted; creosoting

: to treat with creosote

Medical Definition

creosote

noun

cre·​o·​sote ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 

1

: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of wood tar especially from beech wood and used especially as a disinfectant and as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis

2

: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative