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
Synonyms
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
Green buildings not only help reduce carbon emissions but also attract tenants who want to save money on energy bills.
—Johan Hajji, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
State of play: One of the biggest fights is over Initiative 2117, which would repeal the state's cap-and-trade law that places a price on carbon emissions.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The video may also refer to new Environmental Protection Agency emission rules announced earlier this year aimed at cutting carbon pollution caused by the auto industry.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The funds have primarily stemmed from a program that rewards manufacturers for exceeding carbon emissions limits.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carbon 
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Johan Hajji, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
State of play: One of the biggest fights is over Initiative 2117, which would repeal the state's cap-and-trade law that places a price on carbon emissions.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
The video may also refer to new Environmental Protection Agency emission rules announced earlier this year aimed at cutting carbon pollution caused by the auto industry.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The funds have primarily stemmed from a program that rewards manufacturers for exceeding carbon emissions limits.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carbon
Dictionary Entries Near carbon
Cite this Entry
“Carbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbon. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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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