chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē How to pronounce chimney (audio)
plural chimneys
1
dialect : fireplace, hearth
2
: a vertical structure incorporated into a building and enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke
especially : the part of such a structure extending above a roof
3
4
: a tube usually of glass placed around a flame (as of a lamp)
5
: something resembling a chimney: such as
a
: a narrow cleft or passage in rock
b
: a tall column of rock on the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from superheated water issuing from a hydrothermal vent and rising through the column of rock
chimneylike adjective

Examples of chimney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The smoke is released from a tiny chimney visible to thousands of spectators outside St. Peter’s Basilica. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signals the election of a new pope, while black smoke means no decision yet. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 Fire officials told Sandstrom that the blaze was probably caused by a chimney fire fueled by a woodburning stove in the basement, according to PennLive. David Chiu, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025 To the outside world, the selection of a new pope is a solemn and mysterious ritual that ends with white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Scott Tobias, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chimney

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French chiminee, from Late Latin caminata, from Latin caminus furnace, fireplace, from Greek kaminos; perhaps akin to Greek kamara vault

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chimney was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chimney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimney. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

chimney

noun
chim·​ney ˈchim-nē How to pronounce chimney (audio)
plural chimneys
1
: a vertical structure extending above the roof of a building for carrying off smoke
2
: a tube usually of glass around a flame (as of a lamp)
3
: something resembling a chimney

More from Merriam-Webster on chimney

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!