carbon

plural carbons · alternative obsolete carbone

1. uncountablechemistryThe chemical element (symbol C) with an atomic number of 6. It can be found in pure form for example as graphite, a black, shiny and very soft material, or diamond, a colourless, transparent, crystalline solid and the hardest known material.

   All life as we know it has carbon as the backbone of many of its molecules; carbon’s tetravalence gives it special importance in biochemical molecular bonds.

   2 more examples

   Carbon is the most common element in our bodies—indeed, in all living things on earth.

   2006, Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Penguin Press, →ISBN, page 20

   Fans will pump air through the alkaline stream, which causes carbon dioxide to form solid calcium carbonate, the material from which seashells are formed, which will look like a fine sand, as well as dissolved bicarbonate.

   2024 April 21, Laura Paddison, “Can this ocean-based carbon plant help save the world? Some scientists are raising red flags”, in CNN

2. countableAn atom of this element, in reference to a molecule containing it.

   A methane molecule is made up of a single carbon with four hydrogens.

3. countableinformalA sheet of carbon paper.

   He stepped back and opened his bag and took out a printed pad of D.O.A. forms and began to write over a carbon.

   1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin, published 2011, page 51

4. countableinformalA carbon copy.

   Press firmly: you are making a carbon.

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   Please provide me with a carbon of your form.

5. countableuncountableA fossil fuel that is made of impure carbon such as coal or charcoal.
6. countableuncountableSoot.

   Every morning she cleaned the carbon from the lamp chimneys.

   1. countableuncountableEspecially, hardened soot as a caked-on deposit.

      When you overhaul an engine, you need to remove the carbon from around the valve seats. The carbon buildup can be extensive.

7. abbreviationellipsisuncountableclimate changebiologyEllipsis of carbon dioxide.

   carbon neutral

   2 more examples

   carbon capture

   If Alberta’s reserves are a carbon bomb, this global expansion of tar sands and oil shale exploitation amounts to an escalating emissions arms race, the unlocking of a subterranean cache of weapons of mass ecological destruction.

   2014 April 25, Martin Lukacs, “Canada becoming launch-pad of a global tar sands and oil shale frenzy”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 190, number 20, page 13

8. countableuncountableA carbon rod or pencil used in an arc lamp.

   To trim an arc lamp, first remove the old carbons and carefully and thoroughly wipe the carbon rods, holders, &c. with a clean, dry rag.

   1892, English Mechanic and World of Science, page 444

9. countableuncountableA plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.
10. abbreviationcountableellipsisinformaluncountableEllipsis of carbon fiber (reinforced polymer).

    carbon bike frame

present singular third person carbons · participle present carboning · participle past carboned · past carboned · alternative obsolete carbone

1. InternettransitiveuncommonTo send a carbon copy of an email message to.

   When I send it, I’ll carbon Julia so she’s aware.

   Synonyms: cc, copy

plural Carbons

1. countableuncountableA surname.
2. A place name:
   1. countableuncountableA village in Kneehill County, Alberta, Canada.
   2. countableuncountableA town in Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana.
   3. countableuncountableA minor city and coal town in Douglas Township, Adams County, Iowa.
   4. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community and coal town in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
   5. countableuncountableA town in Eastland County, Texas.