cre·o·sote
ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt 
1
: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of tar derived from wood and especially from beech wood
2
: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative
3
: a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from especially wood smoke on the walls of a chimney
4
Examples of creosote in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
Across the road, the vegetation morphs from cactus-centric to a sea of creosote and brittlebush.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2020
See all Example Sentences for creosote 
Noun
Some pros argue that the whole process can be as quick and easy as scraping the creosote and fat drippings from the bottom and walls of the smoker or grill.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
Across the road, the vegetation morphs from cactus-centric to a sea of creosote and brittlebush.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
So, then the question becomes: How long does creosote remain a risk in the soil?
—oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2020
See all Example Sentences for creosote
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'creosote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Creosote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creosote. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
creosote
1 of 2 noun
cre·o·sote
ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt
1
: a brownish oily liquid obtained from coal tar and used especially to preserve wood
2
: a dark flammable tar left in a chimney especially from the smoke of a wood fire
3
creosote
2 of 2 verb
creosoted; creosoting
: to treat with creosote
Medical Definition
creosote
noun
cre·o·sote
ˈkrē-ə-ˌsōt
1
: a clear or yellowish flammable oily liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the distillation of wood tar especially from beech wood and used especially as a disinfectant and as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis
2
: a brownish oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially as a wood preservative
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