soot

1 of 2

noun

ˈsu̇t 

ˈsət,

ˈsüt 

: a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke

especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke

soot

2 of 2

verb

sooted; sooting; soots

transitive verb

: to coat or cover with soot

Examples of soot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ground teams wiped the soot off of the craft's solar arrays and heat shield, then repainted portions of the capsule's radiators around the edge of Dragon's trunk section before rolling the vehicle back to the launch pad Friday. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2024

Her signature use of lampblack pigment, a powdered soot created from burning oil, not only plays with surface depth but, since the 1960s, has expressed elements of the experience of Blackness itself. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2024

Bicyclists say the trip can be scary, noisy, and that the black soot on the walls is evident of the poor air quality inside the underwater tunnel. —Kristin J. Bender, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024

This safer alternative eliminates the open flame, smoke, soot, and pollution. —Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sōt; akin to Old Irish suide soot, Old English sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

soot

noun

ˈsu̇t,

ˈsət,

ˈsüt

: a black powder formed when something is burned

especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke