carbon
Pluralcarbons
Pluralcarbons
Formscarbons, carboning, carboned
- 1A chemical element found in graphite, diamonds, and all living things, or one atom of it.
Like a building block that joins with others to make many different things.
Carbon is found in every living thing on Earth.
Pencils contain a soft form of carbon called graphite.
Note
- 2Short form of carbon dioxide. Used for the gas that traps heat and warms the planet.
Cutting carbon helps slow climate change.
Cars and factories release a lot of carbon into the air.
UsageIn careful writing, say carbon dioxide, because carbon alone can also mean the element.
Note
- 3Short form of carbon fiber. It is a strong, light material used in bikes, cars, and planes.
This tennis racket uses carbon to stay light and stiff.
The whole bike frame is made of carbon.
UsageIn careful writing, say carbon fiber, because carbon alone can also mean the element.
Note
- 4The black dirt left when something burns, like soot, that can build up in engines and chimneys.
Like the black mark a candle flame leaves on a spoon held above it.
The candle left a smudge of carbon on the ceiling.
Black carbon coated the inside of the chimney.
Less common meanings
- 5A copy of a written page, made at the same time as the original.
Like getting two identical drawings by tracing through both sheets at once.
She kept a carbon of every letter she mailed.
He found an old carbon of the contract in a drawer.
UsageSay a carbon of something. In careful writing, say carbon copy.
- 6A sheet of inky paper that makes a copy as you write on the page above.
Like a sheet of color that rubs onto the page beneath it as you press.
Put a carbon between the two pages before you write.
He tucked a carbon between the two forms and pressed hard with his pen.
- 7A fuel such as coal or charcoal that is made mostly of carbon.
- 8A piece of carbon that carries electricity in a lamp or a battery.
The old movie projector needed two new carbons before every show.
When the carbon burned down, the lamp went dark.
Note
- 9
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of carbon apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from French carbone, a word made by Antoine Lavoisier from Latin carbō meaning 'charcoal' or 'coal'.
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English carbon comes from French carbone. en.wiktionary.org
- Antoine Lavoisier coined carbone. en.wiktionary.org
- The word derives from Latin carbō, meaning charcoal or coal. en.wiktionary.org