plural chimneys
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
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
Examples of chimney in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City to signal a new pope had been selected, All Saints Parish offered a devotional practice.
—
Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
—Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
White smoke finally rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, signaling to onlookers that the voting cardinals have come to a two-thirds consensus and decided on a new pope.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 8 May 2025
The cardinals’ selection of a successor to Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, was revealed by white smoke billowing from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chimney
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
—Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
White smoke finally rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, signaling to onlookers that the voting cardinals have come to a two-thirds consensus and decided on a new pope.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 8 May 2025
The cardinals’ selection of a successor to Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, was revealed by white smoke billowing from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chimney
Cite this Entry
“Chimney.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimney. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share