chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē 

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

: smokestack

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

ˈchim-nē-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of chimney in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stuck in the chimney, let’s get going. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025

The stockings hung on the chimney with care. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

Dakar captured stunning images of the magnificent birds in flight, tending their enormous nests atop buildings and chimneys, as well as the titular bird, Silyan, as the bird was cared for by Nikola. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025

The intelligent critters will rip off roof shingles to enter an attic, crawl through vents, give birth to their young in a chimney or tear up a home’s insulation to make their beds. —Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing chimney

• chimney breast
• chimney pot
• chimney stack
• chimney sweep
• chimney swift
• smoke like a chimney

Kids Definition

chimney

noun

chim·​ney ˈchim-nē 

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