coal tar

American  

noun

1. a thick, black, viscid liquid formed during the distillation of coal, that upon further distillation yields compounds, as benzene, anthracene, and phenol, from which are derived a large number of dyes, drugs, and other synthetic compounds, and that yields a final residuum coal-tar pitch, which is used chiefly in making pavements.

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coal tar British  

noun

1. a black tar, produced by the distillation of bituminous coal, that can be further distilled to yield benzene, toluene, xylene, anthracene, phenol, etc

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coal tar Scientific  

1. A thick, sticky, black liquid obtained through the destructive distillation (heating in the absence of air) of coal. It is used as a source of many organic compounds, such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenols, which are used in dyes, drugs, and other compounds.

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Other Word Forms

• coal-tar adjective

Etymology

Origin of coal tar

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Our investigation revealed that the Oronoco Street outfall, at the north end of Founders Park in Old Town, has been illegally discharging coal tar and creosote wastes into the Potomac River since at least 1975.

From Washington Post • Jun. 24, 2022

“It’s coal tar and it’s a known carcinogen and mostly you find it in industrial settings,” said Horney.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2018

Now they are dredging the basin to scoop up 10 feet of black sediment heavily laced with coal tar.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2017

“It had a big round tank and this heavy coal tar was dumped into the lake,” said Ed Monroe, a local historian who specializes in the city’s lakefront history.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2017

Fear had darkened Jaja’s eyes to the color of coal tar, but he looked Papa in the face now.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie