What does briquet mean?
A briquet is a small block of compressed combustible material—most commonly coal dust, charcoal fines, sawdust, or peat—that has been shaped into a compact, brick-like form for use as fuel. Compressing loose waste material into briquets makes it easier to handle, store, transport, and burn evenly, which is why the form became standard both in industrial heating and in everyday life, notably in the charcoal briquets used for grilling food. The word comes from French, where it functions as a diminutive of 'brique', meaning brick, so a briquet is literally a 'little brick'. In contemporary English usage, 'briquette' has become the more common spelling, though 'briquet' remains fully recognized, particularly in American English. The word carries no strong connotation beyond its practical associations with fire, fuel, and cooking, and it appears most frequently in commercial, technical, and culinary contexts.
nounA small block of compressed material—typically coal dust, charcoal dust, sawdust, or peat—molded into a brick-like shape and used as fuel.
- A small molded block of compressed coal dust, charcoal, sawdust, or similar combustible material, burned as fuel.
- (Variant spelling) An alternative form of 'briquette', the more common modern spelling.
"She stacked the charcoal briquets in the grill and waited for them to glow before adding the meat."
"The factory pressed coal dust into dense briquets that burned hotter and cleaner than loose coal."
"He lit the first charcoal briquet and watched as the fire slowly spread across the grill."
Standard plural; also spelled 'briquettes' when using the more common variant spelling.
"A full bag of briquets is usually enough for two long grilling sessions."
Every summer cookout runs on a word borrowed straight from the French for 'little brick'—the briquet is literally a tiny brick you set on fire.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of briquet
The word 'briquet' entered English from French, where it is a diminutive of 'brique', meaning 'brick'. It was adopted into English in the nineteenth century as the practice of compressing coal dust and other combustible residues into solid blocks spread through industrial Europe. Its closest relative in modern English is the more common spelling 'briquette', while its ultimate connection is to 'brick' itself, reflecting the shape rather than the substance of the object.
Related word forms
How briquet is actually used
'Briquet' is now largely a variant spelling of the more common 'briquette'. The word is neutral in register but is most often encountered in practical contexts involving fuel, grilling, or industrial processing.
Easily confused with briquet
Briquette is the more common spelling of the same word; 'briquet' is an older or less frequent variant.
A bricklet is a miniature brick used in construction; a briquet is a compressed block of fuel.