carbon

7 definitions • 7 examples

a chemical element that exists in its pure form as diamond or graphite, and is an important part of other substances such as coal and oil, as well as being contained in all plants and animals

the gas carbon dioxide, which is the gas formed when carbon is burned or when people or animals breathe out:

The prize will be awarded to a project that can draw at least one gigatonne of carbon a year from the atmosphere.

Environmental campaigners are arguing for further cuts in carbon emissions.

a chemical element that is contained in all animals and plants, and that is an important part of other substances such as coal and oil, and exists in its pure form as diamonds and graphite

a chemical element (= simple chemical substance), which exists in all plants and animals, and is an important part of coal and oil. When carbon is burned it produces carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide:

All organic substances contain the element carbon.

Carbon exists in its pure form as diamond or graphite.

carbon atoms

used as a short form for carbon dioxide, especially when talking about the environment and climate change:

Car makers are already working hard on reducing carbon.

The plan would remove two billion tons of carbon a year from the atmosphere.