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.
Cover exterior vents and chimneys with screening. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025 In addition, try to prevent bats from getting inside your home through windows, chimneys or other holes. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025 One of these is the Lost City, a vast hydrothermal field at the bottom of the Atlantic—a kind of unique prehistoric hotbed of massive, dramatic chimney spires venting chemical reactions that scientists have been studying for clues to how life on Earth (and other planets) began. Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025 Stock image of smoke streaming from an industrial chimney. Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 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!