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

See Examples For:

coal tar

The gas plant generated large volumes of coal tar and creosote wastes from its process of turning low-grade coal into gas for street lamps and homes.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 24, 2022

“It’s coal tar and it’s a known carcinogen and mostly you find it in industrial settings,” said Horney.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2018

“It had a big round tank and this heavy coal tar was dumped into the lake,” said Ed Monroe, a local historian who specializes in the city’s lakefront history.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 4, 2017

Bladder cancer, which can be set in motion by coal tar, metalworking fluids, and other workplace toxics, usually appears 15 to 40 years later.

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2015

Rode in the boot of a small auto belonging to a chum of Papa Thibaut’s, a Citroen Rosalie—4-cylinder engine, at least 10 years old, running—just—on a disgusting mix of coal tar and sugar-beet ethanol.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein