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coal car

American  

noun

  1. a railroad car designed to carry coal.

  2. a car for hauling coal in or from a mine.


Etymology

Origin of coal car

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In North China it is a 90% coal car, in France it is a 70% nuclear car, in Russia mostly a natural gas car and in Denmark a 50% wind car et cetera.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 5, 2022

The engineer does not stir, the tipsy fireman cannot hear above his clanking rake and the ' shattering roar of the coal car.

From Time Magazine Archive

When he was 18, Little Joe O'Brien rode an empty coal car into Nova Scotia to take a job as driver and trainer for a River Hebert horseman.

From Time Magazine Archive

One coal car rolled back down into the mine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mr. Kirk made a run to the track to unload his shuttle into a waiting coal car.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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