coal gas

American  

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.

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coal gas British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of coal gas

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Nearly 70 percent of Japan's power needs in 2023 were met by power plants burning coal, gas and oil -- a figure Tokyo wants to slash to 30-40 percent over the next 15 years.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

On top of that, the coal, gas, and nuclear power plants that produce that electricity themselves consume even larger quantities of water to stay cool.

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2024

In 2021, some 80.5% of Morocco's electricity production came from burning coal, gas and oil.

From BBC • May 3, 2023

In Ukraine — which has coal, gas and nuclear resources — energy that's close to where it’s needed has become paramount.

From Scientific American • Mar. 1, 2023

Back home in the United Kingdom, food, clothes, coal, gas, and electricity were in such short supply they had to be rationed.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein