a form of carbon having very fine pores: used chiefly for adsorbing gases or solutes, as in various filter systems for purification, deodorization, and decolorization.
Also called activated charcoal.
Origin
1920-25
British Dictionary definitions for activated carbon
activated carbon
noun
1.
a porous highly adsorptive form of carbon used to remove colour or impurities from liquids and gases, in the separation and extraction of chemical compounds, and in the recovery of solvents Also called activated charcoal, active carbon