Charcoal: meaning, definitions and examples

Used mainly in art and grilling, charcoal refers to a form of carbon that is created by burning wood or other organic material in a low-oxygen environment. In art, it is used for drawing, while in cooking, it is used as a fuel source.

• The artist created a stunning portrait using charcoal
• We need more charcoal for the barbecue

Carbon is a chemical element found in all organic life, as well as in substances such as coal, diamonds, and graphite. It is often discussed in scientific, environmental, and industrial contexts.

• Carbon is an essential element in organic chemistry
• Reducing our carbon footprint is crucial to combating climate change

Graphite is a form of carbon known for its use in pencils and as a lubricant. It is soft and can leave marks on paper, making it ideal for writing and drawing.

• The core of the pencil is made from graphite
• Graphite is also used in some high-temperature applications

Pencil refers to the common writing or drawing instrument that typically consists of a wooden stick with a graphite core. It is used for writing, sketching, and drawing.

• Please use a pencil to fill out the form
• The artist sketched the landscape with a pencil

Charcoal is commonly used in contexts related to art or fuel. In art, it's a medium for drawing. As fuel, it's used for grilling and barbecuing.

• She drew a beautiful portrait using charcoal
• We need to buy some charcoal for the barbecue

Coal is a hard, black material used mainly as a fuel to produce electricity or heat. It's commonly mentioned in industrial and environmental contexts.

• The power station burns tons of coal every day
• They used to heat their house with a coal stove

Wood charcoal is often used to specify charcoal made from wood, especially in culinary or fuel-related settings. It's preferred for certain types of grilling due to its different burning properties compared to other charcoals.

• Wood charcoal gives the food a unique, smoky flavor
• For the best barbecue, choose high-quality wood charcoal

Char is typically used to describe something that has been partially burned or blackened by fire. It can also refer to a cooking method where food is cooked over high heat.

• The edges of the paper charred in the fire
• She likes to char the vegetables on the grill for added flavor

Repeated entry: see the first 'charcoal' entry in the list.

Activated carbon is used for purification and filtering purposes. It is highly porous and has a large surface area for adsorption.

• The water filter uses activated carbon to remove impurities
• Activated carbon is also used in air purifiers

Char refers to carbon-rich material that has been partially burned or charred. It is often used in farming for improving soil quality.

• The logs were left to char in the fire
• Farmers add char to the soil to improve its fertility