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

Volunteers will remove damaged, deteriorated or failing roof decking and repair it as needed; install new roofing on cabins; and install new copper flashing for chimneys, the release states. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 14 Apr. 2025

The firm made the home’s chimneys, pane windows, and gabled slate roofs part of the design’s focus — in concert with other homes in the area — but added a twist to the classic style: The residence is three separate spaces connected by glass passageways. —Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2025

His favorite part of any tour is telling people that each pile of stones is a chimney from the huts the soldiers built. —Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025

The Cape Wildlife Center, an animal rescue service, had to come to the aid of a homeowner who had some unwanted adorableness living in the chimney of his house, the center said in an April 7 Facebook post. —Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 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