carbon
Americannoun
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Chemistry. a widely distributed element that forms organic compounds in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, etc., and that occurs in a pure state as diamond and graphite, and in an impure state as charcoal. C; 12.011; 6; (of diamond) 3.51 at 20°C; (of graphite) 2.26 at 20°C.
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carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds that are emitted into the atmosphere and cause rising temperatures.
the carbon produced by burning fossil fuels.
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a sheet of carbon paper.
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Electricity.
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the carbon rod through which current is conducted between the electrode holder and the arc in carbon arc lighting or welding.
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the rod or plate, composed in part of carbon, used in batteries.
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adjective
noun
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a nonmetallic element existing in the three crystalline forms: graphite, diamond, and buckminsterfullerene: occurring in carbon dioxide, coal, oil, and all organic compounds. The isotope carbon-12 has been adopted as the standard for atomic wt; carbon-14 , a radioisotope with a half-life of 5700 years, is used in radiocarbon dating and as a tracer. Symbol: C; atomic no: 6; atomic wt: 12.011; valency: 2, 3, or 4; relative density: 1.8–2.1 (amorphous), 1.9–2.3 (graphite), 3.15–3.53 (diamond); sublimes at 3367±25°C; boiling pt: 4827°C
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( as modifier )
a carbon compound
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short for carbon paper carbon copy
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a carbon electrode used in a carbon-arc light or in carbon-arc welding
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a rod or plate, made of carbon, used in some types of battery
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A naturally abundant, nonmetallic element that occurs in all organic compounds and can be found in all known forms of life. Diamonds and graphite are pure forms, and carbon is a major constituent of coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Carbon generally forms four covalent bonds with other atoms in larger molecules. Atomic number 6; atomic weight 12.011; sublimation point above 3,500°C; boiling point 4,827°C; specific gravity of amorphous carbon 1.8 to 2.1, of diamond 3.15 to 3.53, of graphite 1.9 to 2.3; valence 2, 3, 4.
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See Periodic Table
Discover More
Carbon forms the basis for all living tissue.
Other Word Forms
- carbonless adjective
- carbonous adjective
- noncarbon noun
Etymology
Origin of carbon
1780–90; < French carbone, coinage based on Latin carbōn- (stem of carbō ) charcoal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her findings demonstrate that commercial logging releases greenhouse gases and stops the natural cycle of regrowth, preventing the forest floor from sharing carbon resources.
From Los Angeles Times
Meanwhile the environmental impact of buying a second-hand phone can be significantly lower, avoiding the use of new materials and the carbon emissions that go into producing each device.
From Barron's
It has been estimated that a typical cremation has a footprint equivalent to about 320kg of carbon dioxide- Alkaline hydrolysis is found to result in the emission of seven times less CO2.
From BBC
Laboratory research has demonstrated that these compounds can form when icy dust grains containing methanol or blends of carbon dioxide and ammonia are exposed to ultraviolet light or gentle heating.
From Science Daily
That iron would fuel blooms of microscopic algae, which absorb heat trapping carbon dioxide as they grow.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
