plural smokestacks
: a tall chimney on a factory, ship, etc., for carrying smoke away
called also (British) chimney stack
always used before a noun
chiefly US
: of or relating to companies that manufacture products in large factories
She invested in smokestack stocks.
Car manufacturing and other smokestack industries need to adapt to the global economy.
Cite this Entry
“Smokestack.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/smokestack. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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