chimney
CHIHM-nee
Chimney (noun) means a vertical structure that carries smoke and fumes up and out of a building. Example: “Smoke curled up from the cottage chimney.”
noun
1
A vertical structure that carries smoke and fumes up and out of a building.
"Smoke curled up from the cottage chimney."
"A chimney sweep came to clean out the soot."
2
A narrow vertical crack in a rock face that climbers can wedge themselves into.
"They climbed the chimney by pressing their backs against one side and their feet against the other."
How to use chimney
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pipe or shaft that lets smoke escape from a fire — or, in climbing, a narrow vertical gap in rock.
Common pairings
chimney sweep
brick chimney
smoke from the chimney
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Word forms
- Plural
- chimneys, chimnies
- Third person singular
- chimneys
- Past tense
- chimneyed
Fill the gap
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Smoke curled up from the cottage _____.
Etymology
From Old French cheminee, ultimately from Latin camīnus, itself from Greek kámīnos meaning "furnace".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chimney
See all rhymes for chimney →Frequently asked questions
What does “chimney” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “chimney”?
“Chimney” is pronounced CHIHM-nee (/ˈt͡ʃɪmni/ in IPA).
How do you use “chimney” in a sentence?
Here is “chimney” used in a sentence: “Smoke curled up from the cottage chimney.”
What part of speech is “chimney”?
“Chimney” is a noun.
Where does the word “chimney” come from?
The word “chimney” comes from Latin. From Old French cheminee, ultimately from Latin camīnus, itself from Greek kámīnos meaning "furnace".
Is “chimney” a common word?
“Chimney” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “chimney” have?
“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.
What is the difference between a chimney and a flue?
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.
Why do climbers use the term "chimney" for a rock feature?
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.
Do all fireplaces need a chimney?
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.
