decarbonize

American  

[dee-kahr-buh-nahyz] / diˈkɑr bəˌnaɪz /

especially British, decarbonise

verb (used with object)

decarbonized, decarbonizing

1. to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of (a household, industry, country, etc.).

   Our expertise is in designing new ways to decarbonize our economy, using solar energy and renewable carbon to replace fossil fuels.

2. decarburize.

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verb (used without object)

1. to reduce the carbon output of the activities of a household, industry, country, etc..

   The world is not decarbonizing fast enough to reach global climate targets.

decarbonize British  

/ diːˈkɑːbəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. Also: decoke.   decarburize.  (tr) to remove carbon from (the walls of the combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine)

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Other Word Forms

• decarbonization noun
• decarbonizer noun

Etymology

Origin of decarbonize

First recorded in 1815–25; de- + carbonize

Example Sentences

California-based startup Brimstone, for example, previously touted its innovative way to decarbonize concrete.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Clean hydrogen, a fuel that was expected to become a big part of America’s push to decarbonize, appears to be dead for now.

From Barron's • Dec. 10, 2025

Although shifting away from fossil fuels toward solar and wind power is achievable, certain technologies and products remain difficult to decarbonize.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

Regardless of the specific measures that people choose to democratically decarbonize our society, it will be essential that they establish realistic goals and reliably follow through in implementing them.

From Salon • Dec. 30, 2024

The atmosphere which some breathe is contaminated and adulterated, and with its vital principles so diminished, that it cannot fully decarbonize the blood, nor fully excite the nervous system.—Thackeray.

From Pearls of Thought by Ballou, Maturin Murray