lampblack
noun
lamp·black
ˈlamp-ˌblak 
: a finely powdered black soot deposited in incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials and used chiefly as a pigment (as in paints, enamels, and printing inks)
Examples of lampblack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But not long after poly aromatic hydrocarbons, commonly known as lampblack, were found in the soil.
—
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Partially fill an old sock with talcum—use dry lampblack on plywood—and pat it along the perforated lines to transfer the pattern to the hardboard.
—David M. Swartwout, Popular Mechanics, 11 Nov. 2022
For several months in 1879, Edison and his team tried dozens of materials, only to find that the lampblack carbon Edison had been using in his telephone transmitters was the ideal material.
—National Geographic, 27 Sep. 2019
The stylus would etch the waves on a page darkened by the carbon of lampblack.
—Steven Johnson, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2014
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Partially fill an old sock with talcum—use dry lampblack on plywood—and pat it along the perforated lines to transfer the pattern to the hardboard.
—David M. Swartwout, Popular Mechanics, 11 Nov. 2022
For several months in 1879, Edison and his team tried dozens of materials, only to find that the lampblack carbon Edison had been using in his telephone transmitters was the ideal material.
—National Geographic, 27 Sep. 2019
The stylus would etch the waves on a page darkened by the carbon of lampblack.
—Steven Johnson, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Lampblack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lampblack. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lampblack
noun
lamp·black
-ˌblak
: a fine black soot made by incomplete burning of carbon-containing material and used to color things black
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share