soot

1 of 2

noun

: a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke
especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke

soot

2 of 2

verb

sooted; sooting; soots

transitive verb

: to coat or cover with soot

Examples of soot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
While the refinery is a sizable employer, with about 600 employees and 300 contractors operating the site, there have been complaints in recent years of acrid odors, soot and harmful emissions. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 When burned, candles with paraffin wax may release soot and other harmful chemicals. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024 Experts began the restoration by removing dust, bird droppings, soot and other deposits from the monument’s sandstone reliefs. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024 The walls were midnight-black from generations of soot. Johannes Lichtman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for soot 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sōt; akin to Old Irish suide soot, Old English sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soot was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near soot

Cite this Entry

“Soot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soot. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

soot

noun
ˈsu̇t,
ˈsət,
ˈsüt
: a black powder formed when something is burned
especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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