charcoal

[chahr-kohl]

noun

1. the carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air.

2. a drawing pencil of charcoal.

3. a drawing made with charcoal.

verb (used with object)

1. to blacken, write, or draw with charcoal.

2. to cook (food) over charcoal, especially on a grill.

verb (used without object)

1. to cook food over charcoal, especially on a grill.

charcoal

/ ˈtʃɑːˌkəʊl /

noun

1. a black amorphous form of carbon made by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air: used as a fuel, in smelting metal ores, in explosives, and as an absorbent See activated carbon

2. a stick or pencil of this for drawing

3. a drawing done in charcoal

4. short for charcoal grey

verb

1. (tr) to write, draw, or blacken with charcoal

charcoal

1. A black porous form of carbon produced by heating wood or bone in little or no air. Charcoal is used as a fuel, for drawing, and in air and water filters.

Other Word Forms

• charcoaly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of charcoal¹

1300–50; Middle English charcole, perhaps cherre char ³ + cole coal, though literal sense of the compound is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of charcoal¹

C14: from char (origin obscure) + _coal

Example Sentences

While the expected range went from black to charcoal and silver gray and on to his beloved beige, his colors were artfully off the mark.

From Los Angeles Times

When exposed to fire, the mass timber charcoals and burns a half-inch every hour — so a 4.5-inch panel would last six or seven hours before fully burning, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Somehow, he managed to get his hands on the ingredients for gunpowder - potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

From BBC

Behind their bed in their bedroom, they painted an accent wall a charcoal hue, which gives the bedroom a peaceful feel.

From Los Angeles Times

What he doesn’t know is that Bobby’s grilled dishes are cooked using the devil’s charcoal.

From Salon

Related Words

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