1. plural of carbon; chemical elements with symbol C, or materials made primarily of carbon
2. carbon copies; duplicate copies of documents made using carbon paper
Usage: dated
3. carbon electrodes or rods used in electrical devices
Usage: technical

Examples

• The scientist studied different forms of carbons in the laboratory.
• Diamond and graphite are both pure carbons with different structures.
• Please make three carbons of this important contract.
• The old typewriter used carbon paper to create carbons.
• The arc lamp required new carbons to function properly.
• Industrial processes often involve various carbons as raw materials.