pine tar

American  

noun

1. a very viscid, blackish-brown liquid having an odor resembling that of turpentine, obtained by the destructive distillation of pine wood, used in paints, roofing, soaps, and, medicinally, for skin infections.

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pine tar British  

noun

1. a brown or black semisolid or viscous substance, produced by the destructive distillation of pine wood, used in roofing compositions, paints, medicines, etc

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Etymology

Origin of pine tar

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pine tar

Pike perch tartare from Lake Oulujärvi rests on malt bread with capers and dill oil and a whisper of pine tar.

From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2026

Rasmussen countered by saying pine tar and rosin are regularly used by hitters, “so it’s not illegal,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2023

Vandal places a weighted bat, pine tar rag and rosin bag in the on-deck circle for Dodgers hitters at the beginning of each inning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2021

So if you are a pitcher and tripped in the on deck circle and accidentally got pine tar on your hand — that would be OK?

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 3, 2021

And there was a kid stepping up to the plate, swinging his bat low, the pine tar sticky on his palms.

From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt