carbonaceous

adjective

car·​bo·​na·​ceous ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shəs 

1

: relating to, containing, or composed of carbon

2

: rich in carbon

Examples of carbonaceous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This led the Doshisha University team to introduce a novel, chemical-reductant-free, single-step pyrolytic method that utilizes agricultural bullrush waste as both a carbonaceous matrix and a gas-phase reduction template. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Researchers led by Daniel Crocker and David Johnston from Harvard University examined carbonaceous chondrite meteorites using precise measurements of three distinct oxygen isotopes. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

Using average chemistry and densities for a couple different types of asteroids—common CM-group carbonaceous chondrites and rarer iron-rich M-type asteroids—some of the elements lost could be found in modestly sized bodies. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026

After observation, scientists learned the meteorite was a CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite -- an exceptionally rare and primitive type of meteorite, according to a paper published in Science Advances on Wednesday. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carbonaceous

• diatomaceous
• unostentatious
• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous

Kids Definition

carbonaceous

adjective

car·​bo·​na·​ceous ˌkär-bə-ˈnā-shəs 

: relating to, containing, or made up of carbon