coal gas
- a gas used for illuminating and heating, produced by distilling bituminous coal and consisting chiefly of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.
- the gas formed by burning coal.
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Origin of coal gas
First recorded in 1800–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for coal gas
Historical Examples
Explosions of coal-gas were only too common in the mines of England.
Historic InventionsRupert S. Holland
The flame of coal-gas has recently been applied, to effect the same object.
Popular Technology, Vol. I (of 2)Edward Hazen
Of late years, the coal-gas furnished by the gas-works has been generally, if not solely, used for the inflation of balloons.
From its extreme lightness it has been used to fill balloons, but coal-gas is now commonly employed for this purpose.
It is usually filled with coal-gas, which has a lifting-force of 35 lb.
coal gas
- 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
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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