chimney

The word “chimney” means a vertical structure that carries smoke and fumes up and out of a building. In plain terms, the pipe or shaft that lets smoke escape from a fire — or, in climbing, a narrow vertical gap in rock.

“Chimney” is pronounced CHIHM-nee (/ˈt͡ʃɪmni/ in IPA).

Here is “chimney” used in a sentence: “Smoke curled up from the cottage chimney.”

“Chimney” is a noun.

The word “chimney” comes from Latin. From Old French cheminee, ultimately from Latin camīnus, itself from Greek kámīnos meaning "furnace".

“Chimney” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Chimney” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vertical structure that carries smoke and fumes up and out of a building.

A chimney is the entire vertical structure that carries smoke and fumes out of a building, while a flue is the inner passage or pipe within the chimney through which the smoke actually travels. A single chimney can sometimes contain more than one flue.

In climbing, a chimney is a narrow vertical crack in a rock face wide enough for a climber to wedge their body into, using pressure against both walls to move upward. The term borrows from the shape of a building chimney because the climbing feature is similarly narrow and vertical.

Most traditional wood-burning fireplaces rely on a chimney to vent smoke and fumes safely outside, though some modern heating systems use alternative venting methods. A chimney remains the standard solution for open fires.