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

And yet the visual — him in a Red Sox uniform, his signature pine tar stain above the No. 2 on his back — remains jarring.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2023

His ensuing two seasons here were filled with loud ovations and endless pine tar splotches and so many more autographed baseballs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2022

If Kikuchi continued to use pine tar or sunscreen mixed with resin for better grip, which is likely, he’s been somewhat less conspicuous.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 20, 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