coal gas

noun

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.

Origin of coal gas

First recorded in 1800–10

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coal gas

Historical Examples of coal gas

Explosions of coal-gas were only too common in the mines of England.
Historic Inventions
Rupert 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.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley
From its extreme lightness it has been used to fill balloons, but coal-gas is now commonly employed for this purpose.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I
Arnold Cooley
It is usually filled with coal-gas, which has a lifting-force of 35 lb.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3
Various

British Dictionary definitions for coal gas

coal gas

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012