coal tar

American  

noun

1. a thick, black, viscid liquid formed during the distillation of coal, that upon further distillation yields compounds, as benzene, anthracene, and phenol, from which are derived a large number of dyes, drugs, and other synthetic compounds, and that yields a final residuum coal-tar pitch, which is used chiefly in making pavements.

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coal tar British  

noun

1. a black tar, produced by the distillation of bituminous coal, that can be further distilled to yield benzene, toluene, xylene, anthracene, phenol, etc

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coal tar Scientific  

1. A thick, sticky, black liquid obtained through the destructive distillation (heating in the absence of air) of coal. It is used as a source of many organic compounds, such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenols, which are used in dyes, drugs, and other compounds.

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Other Word Forms

• coal-tar adjective

Etymology

Origin of coal tar

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

A predecessor had operated an unclean gas plant around a century ago, the company said, and had in the process dumped a material akin to coal tar into the river, trapping artifacts in the sediment.

From Washington Times

Our investigation revealed that the Oronoco Street outfall, at the north end of Founders Park in Old Town, has been illegally discharging coal tar and creosote wastes into the Potomac River since at least 1975.

From Washington Post

Regarding the May 26 Metro article “Environmental group’s suit says Alexandria pollutes Potomac with coal tar”:

From Washington Post

An environmental organization that monitors the Potomac River is suing Alexandria, charging that the Northern Virginia city has been allowing coal tar and other cancer-causing pollutants to contaminate the waterway for decades.

From Washington Post

This is in part the work of indole, an aromatic compound present in foul-smelling substances like coal tar and feces, which in trace amounts gives the most delicate of flowers an almost animal opulence.

From New York Times