lignite

American  

[lig-nahyt] / ˈlɪg naɪt /

noun

1. a soft coal, usually dark brown, often having a distinct woodlike texture, and intermediate in density and carbon content between peat and bituminous coal.

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lignite British  

/ lɪɡˈnɪtɪk, ˈlɪɡnaɪt /

noun

1. Also called: brown coal.  a brown carbonaceous sedimentary rock with woody texture that consists of accumulated layers of partially decomposed vegetation: used as a fuel. Fixed carbon content: 46–60 per cent; calorific value: 1.28 × 10 ⁷ to 1.93 × 10 ⁷ J/kg (5500 to 8300 Btu/lb)

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lignite Scientific  

/ lĭg′nīt′ /

1. A soft, brownish-black form of coal having more carbon than peat but less carbon than bituminous coal. Lignite is easy to mine but does not burn as well as other forms of coal. It is a greater polluter than bituminous coal because it has a higher sulphur content.

2. Compare anthracite bituminous coal

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Other Word Forms

• lignitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lignite

First recorded in 1800–10; lign- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lignite

So when the global cost of gas shoots up, switching back to the much cheaper lignite is financially very appealing.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

One of Turkey's largest thermal power facilities, the plant generates 2,795 megawatts of power from highly polluting lignite, or brown coal, mined in the Afsin‑Elbistan basin that holds 40 percent of the country's reserves.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

Both of its coal-fired plants are ageing, outdated and run on lignite, the most polluting type of coal.

From Reuters ● Nov. 17, 2023

Locals have held a four-year vigil in Akbelen forest to hold off logging that paves the way for a lignite mine near the village of Ikizkoy in Mugla province.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 31, 2023

There are mines of lignite, coal in the vicinity of Graissessac, iron, calamine and copper, and quarries of building-stone, limestone, gypsum, &c.; the marshes supply salt.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various