plural carbons
1
a
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
—often used before another noun
carbon atoms
carbon life forms
carbon fibers
see Chemical Elements Table
b
: carbon dioxide
Forests, plants and natural lands can help absorb and store excess carbon from the atmosphere.—
Alex Baumhardt
—often used before another nounAlex Baumhardtcarbon emissions
Oil companies … are investing in carbon capture projects as public and investor pressures mount over climate change.—Paul Takahashi
Paul Takahashi2
: a carbon rod used in an arc lamp
3
a
: a sheet of carbon paper
b
Examples of carbon in a Sentence
a carbon of the document
this new digital camera is a carbon of a well-known model costing almost twice as much
Recent Examples on the Web
The drop has been driven by a surge in natural gas production, falling costs for renewables, and environmental regulations targeting carbon emissions.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The use of small electric vehicles, bike or foot delivery is estimated to save 476 tons of carbon annually, cutting delivery emissions for the associated brands by 32 percent per year.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
If this were indeed about reducing carbon emissions, Elon Musk would be celebrated.
—Rob Sisson and Danielle Franz, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
These efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support local economies are clear, but beyond that the designers at OVIOS want to develop and enhance these connections within the home, too.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carbon
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Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
The use of small electric vehicles, bike or foot delivery is estimated to save 476 tons of carbon annually, cutting delivery emissions for the associated brands by 32 percent per year.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025
If this were indeed about reducing carbon emissions, Elon Musk would be celebrated.
—Rob Sisson and Danielle Franz, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
These efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support local economies are clear, but beyond that the designers at OVIOS want to develop and enhance these connections within the home, too.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carbon
Cite this Entry
“Carbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
carbon
noun
car·bon
ˈkär-bən 
: a nonmetallic chemical element with atomic number 6 that readily forms compounds with many other elements and is a constituent of organic compounds in all known living tissues
—symbol C
see Chemical Elements Table
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