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Smokestack Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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smokestack

[หˆsmoสŠkหŒstรฆk ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

industrial equipment

A smokestack is a tall, vertical structure that serves to vent smoke and gases from a facility, particularly those that burn fossil fuels. Smokestacks are typically found on factories, power plants, and ships, allowing harmful emissions to be released high into the atmosphere. This helps to disperse pollutants over a larger area, minimizing their concentration at ground level. The height of a smokestack is critical for effective emission control, as it influences the spread and dilution of pollutants. Modern regulations often require emissions monitoring and control systems to be integrated with smokestack designs.

Synonyms

chimney, exhaust pipe, flue, vent.

Examples of usage

  • The smokestack emitted thick, black smoke.
  • Workers climbed up to inspect the smokestack.
  • The factory's smokestack towered over the landscape.
  • They installed filters on the smokestack to reduce pollution.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • Smokestacks became a common sight during the industrial era in the 18th and 19th centuries, symbolizing industrial progress.
  • These structures were vital in improving air flow and reducing smoke backflow into the factory.

Environmental Impact

  • Smokestacks are often associated with pollution, as they release byproducts from burning fossil fuels into the atmosphere.
  • Modern regulations require smokestacks to utilize filters and scrubbers to reduce harmful emissions before they are released.

Pop Culture

  • Smokestacks appear in various movies and industrial-themed art, often representing the struggle between nature and technology.
  • Songs and literature sometimes reference smokestacks when discussing themes of industrialization and its effects on society.

Technology

  • Innovations in smokestack design have focused on efficiency, with some stacked vertically for better dispersion of gases.
  • Advancements include the use of electrostatic precipitators to minimize particulate matter released into the air.

Origin of 'smokestack'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'smoke,' referring to the gas produced by burning, and 'stack,' meaning a tall structure or pile.
  • Its use dates back to the industrial revolution when factories began to proliferate and needed a way to handle smoke.

The word 'smokestack' is derived from the combination of 'smoke' and 'stack,' where 'smoke' originates from the Old English 'smoca', meaning 'fume or vapor,' and 'stack' comes from the Old Norse 'stakkr,' meaning 'a heap or pile.' The use of smokestacks became prominent during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th to early 19th centuries when factories and steam-powered engines started to proliferate. The necessity for proper ventilation of smoke and gases led to the construction of taller stacks, which could effectively direct harmful emissions away from populated areas. Over time, the design and construction of smokestacks have evolved, incorporating advanced technologies to monitor air quality and reduce environmental impact.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,045 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.