coal oil
Americannoun
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petroleum obtained by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal.
noun
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petroleum or a refined product from petroleum, esp kerosene
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a crude oil produced, together with coal gas, during the distillation of bituminous coal
Etymology
Origin of coal oil
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Greenhouse gases mainly come from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said the "main culprit" of warming temperatures was humanity's burning of coal, oil and gas, which is the primary driver of climate change.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
But countries have continued to burn record amounts of coal, oil and gas and chop down carbon-rich forests - leaving that international goal in peril.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2025
Scientists have found air pollution from coal, oil and gas combustion kills millions of people around the world every year, in large part by exacerbating heart disease.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2025
Right after supper, while Papa was putting some coal oil in the lantern, I went to the tool shed and got a pick and shovel.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
