coal

[ kohl ]

noun

1. a black or dark-brown combustible mineral substance consisting of carbonized vegetable matter, used as a fuel. Compare anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite.
2. a piece of glowing, charred, or burned wood or other combustible substance.
3. charcoal ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to burn to coal or charcoal.
2. to provide with coal.

verb (used without object)

1. to take in coal for fuel.

coal

/ kəʊl /

noun

1. 1. a combustible compact black or dark-brown carbonaceous rock formed from compaction of layers of partially decomposed vegetation: a fuel and a source of coke, coal gas, and coal tar See also anthracite bituminous coal lignite peat 1
   2. ( as modifier )

      coal cellar

      coal mine

      coal dust

      coal merchant

2. one or more lumps of coal
3. short for charcoal
4. coals to Newcastle
   something supplied where it is already plentiful
5. haul someone over the coals
   to reprimand someone

verb

1. to take in, provide with, or turn into coal

coal

/ kōl /

1. A dark-brown to black solid substance formed from the compaction and hardening of fossilized plant parts in the presence of water and in the absence of air. Carbonaceous material accounts for more than 50 percent of coal's weight and more than 70 percent of its volume. Coal is widely used as a fuel, and its combustion products are used as raw material for a variety of products including cement, asphalt, wallboard and plastics.
2. See more at anthracite

Derived Forms

• ˈcoaly, adjective

Other Words From

• coalless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal¹

before 900; Middle English cole, Old English col; cognate with Dutch kool, German Kohle, Old Norse kol

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal¹

Old English col; related to Old Norse kol, Old High German kolo, Old Irish gūal

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. heap coals of fire on someone's head, to repay evil with good in order to make one's enemy repent.
2. rake / haul / drag / call / take over the coals, to reprimand; scold:

   They were raked over the coals for turning out slipshod work.

More idioms and phrases containing coal

see carry coals to Newcastle ; rake over the coals .

Example Sentences

In some parts of the country right now that rely 60 percent or more for electricity generation on coal power, moving to electricity could increase GHG emissions.

From Popular-Science

In 2019, more than 66 percent of the electricity in China was generated using coal power, which is a leading contributor to air pollution in China.

From Time

In coal plants, supplying the coal accounts for about 40 percent of total expenses.

From Popular-Science

More than 40 percent of coal mined in the United States comes from federal land, and in 2016, the Obama administration hit pause on coal leasing there, pending a review of the program.

From Washington Post

Not even Naunchik, who hails from a long lineage of union coal miners, aluminum millers, teachers, and machinists in western Pennsylvania, wants a work-stoppage strike to happen.

From Outside Online

Good governance would mean sticks and coal for too many of our favorite politicians.

From The Daily Beast

There was Milan Hruška, a fiery miner from the North Bohemian coal mines.

From The Daily Beast

Life can be tough in West Virginia, especially for the hardworking souls of coal country.

From The Daily Beast

He also says Rahall made millions off that “coal-killing” legislation, which is patently false.

From The Daily Beast

The aforementioned stories may very well be legitimate, but let's consider them a sort of canary in the coal mine.

From The Daily Beast

It was little better than coal dust, and would not carry a ball fifty paces to kill or wound.

From Project Gutenberg

Of late, however, it has acquired a far greater interest through the discovery of coal underneath its surface.

From Project Gutenberg

And one of the seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a live coal, which he had taken with the tongs off the altar.

From Project Gutenberg

An explosion took place in the Blackheath coal mines, Virginia; by which of the twenty-three workmen only one escaped death.

From Project Gutenberg

But its use as such is to dispose of any such idea as that there is a natural price of coal or of anything else.

From Project Gutenberg