| cedar |
an evergreen tree of the pine family that bears cones. Cedars have strong wood with a sweet smell. [2 definitions] |
| cedilla |
a mark ( ¸ ). It is placed under certain letters to change that letter's pronunciation in French, where "ç" has the sound of "s." |
| ceiling |
the top inside surface of a room. [3 definitions] |
| celebrate |
to make special or honor with gifts, parties, or activities. [3 definitions] |
| celebration |
the act of honoring or celebrating. [2 definitions] |
| celebrity |
a person who is famous. |
| celery |
a plant with crisp, pale green stalks that are eaten as a vegetable. Celery leaves and seeds are used as seasoning. |
| celestial |
of or having to do with the sky or outer space. [2 definitions] |
| cell |
a tiny unit of plant or animal life, having a nucleus and surrounded by a very thin membrane. [4 definitions] |
| cellar |
a room or rooms built underground, usually beneath a building. |
| cello |
a large musical instrument with four strings. The cello is in the violin family but has a deeper tone than the violin. |
| cellophane |
a thin, clear material made from cellulose. Cellophane is used to wrap food and other things. |
| cell phone |
a telephone that operates using radio signals and therefore requires no wires. A cell phone can be taken with one anywhere but may not function if it is too far away from a radio transmitter to receive signals. |
| cellular phone |
a telephone that can be taken anywhere and does not use wires. A cellular phone uses radio signals that are sent out from many different points called "cells." A cellular phone gets its signals from whatever cell is closest to it at the moment. A cellular phone is often called a "cell phone." |
| celluloid |
a plastic that burns easily. Celluloid is used for motion picture film. |
| cellulose |
the main element of plant tissue, used in making paper, cellophane, and fabrics. |
| Celsius |
relating to a temperature scale on which water freezes at zero degrees and boils at one hundred degrees; centigrade. (abbreviated: C) |
| cement |
a powder made of clay and limestone that becomes hard when water is added. Cement is used as a building material. [3 definitions] |
| cemetery |
a place where the dead are buried; graveyard. |
| censor |
an official who decides what art, movies, or books may be published. A censor works for a government, religion, or other organization, and promotes its ideas. [3 definitions] |
| census |
an official count of the people who live in a country or other area. A census is also used to collect information about these people, such as their job, age, or sex. |