carbon
/ˈkɑː.bən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C. It is found in all living things and in many fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas.
- Carbon is one of the most important elements in chemistry.
- Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air.
- Diamond and graphite are both forms of carbon.
- 2.
Carbon also means the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air by a person, product, or activity. People often use this meaning when talking about climate change.
- We need to reduce our carbon.
- The company reports its carbon emissions yearly.
- Flying has a high carbon footprint.
Adinary Nuance
Carbon is the chemical element, not a general word for pollution or gas. Use carbon dioxide for the gas in the air, and carbon emissions or carbon footprint for environmental impact. In science writing, carbon is more precise than saying 'fuel material' or 'black substance'.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cacbon
- Spanish
- carbono
- Chinese
- 碳
- Japanese
- 炭素
- Korean
- 탄소
Etymology
Carbon comes from Latin carbo, meaning 'charcoal'. The word entered English in the late 18th century, after the element was identified in chemistry.
Common phrases
carbon dioxidecarbon footprintcarbon emissionscarbon cycle
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is carbon the same as carbon dioxide?
- No. Carbon is an element, while carbon dioxide is a gas made from carbon and oxygen.
- What is a carbon footprint?
- It is the amount of carbon emissions caused by a person, product, or activity.
- Is carbon used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is very common in science, economics, and climate-related writing.