coal gas

noun

1. a gas used for illuminating and heating, produced by distilling bituminous coal and consisting chiefly of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.

2. the gas formed by burning coal.

coal gas

noun

1. a mixture of gases produced by the distillation of bituminous coal and used for heating and lighting: consists mainly of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal gas¹

First recorded in 1800–10