carbon

/ˈkɑrbən/
noun
  1. A chemical element that is found in all living things, coal, and diamonds, and is a basic building block of life.
    • All organic molecules contain carbon as a key element.
    • Diamonds are made of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure.
    • Plants absorb carbon from the air during photosynthesis.
  2. Carbon dioxide, especially when considered as a greenhouse gas released by burning fossil fuels.
    • The government introduced a tax on carbon to encourage cleaner energy.
    • Driving an electric car can lower your carbon footprint.
    • Many companies are trying to reduce their carbon emissions to fight climate change.
  3. A copy made using carbon paper, or a duplicate of something.
    • Before computers, secretaries made carbons of important letters.
    • He kept a carbon of the contract in his filing cabinet.
    • The report was so similar to the first draft it looked like a carbon.
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