Meaning & use

carbon

noun·Academic

A chemical element that forms the basis of all known life and appears in forms such as coal, graphite, and diamond.

See it in a sentence

Carbon combines with oxygen when fuel burns, releasing energy and carbon dioxide.

Diamonds and pencil graphite are both made of pure carbon.

A note on using this word

Symbol C on the periodic table; frequently appears in compounds like "carbon dioxide," "carbon footprint," and "carbon dating."

Words with a similar meaning

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