activated carbon

noun Chemistry.

a form of carbon having very fine pores: used chiefly for adsorbing gases or solutes, as in various filter systems for purification, deodorization, and decolorization.
Also called activated charcoal.

Origin of activated carbon

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby activated carbon

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British Dictionary definitions for activated carbon

activated carbon

noun

a porous highly adsorptive form of carbon used to remove colour or impurities from liquids and gases, in the separation and extraction of chemical compounds, and in the recovery of solvents Also called: activated charcoal, active carbon