charcoal

[ chahr-kohl ]
/ ˈtʃɑrˌkoʊl /

noun

the carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air.
a drawing pencil of charcoal.
a drawing made with charcoal.

verb (used with object)

to blacken, write, or draw with charcoal.
to cook (food) over charcoal, especially on a grill.

verb (used without object)

to cook food over charcoal, especially on a grill.

Origin of charcoal

1300–50; Middle English charcole, perhaps cherre char3 + cole coal, though literal sense of the compound is unclear

OTHER WORDS FROM charcoal

char·coal·y, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for charcoal

British Dictionary definitions for charcoal

charcoal
/ (ˈtʃɑːˌkəʊl) /

noun

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
a stick or pencil of this for drawing
a drawing done in charcoal
short for charcoal grey

verb

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

Word Origin for charcoal

C14: from char (origin obscure) + coal

Medical definitions for charcoal

charcoal
[ chärkōl′ ]

n.

Carbon obtained by heating or burning organic material with restricted access of air.
Activated charcoal.

Scientific definitions for charcoal

charcoal
[ chärkōl′ ]

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.