bituminous coal

noun

1. a mineral coal that contains volatile hydrocarbons and tarry matter and burns with a yellow, smoky flame; soft coal.

bituminous coal

noun

1. a soft black coal, rich in volatile hydrocarbons, that burns with a smoky yellow flame. Fixed carbon content: 46–86 per cent; calorific value: 1.93 × 10 ⁷– 3.63 × 10 ⁷J/kg Also calledsoft coal

bituminous coal

/ bĭ-to̅o̅′mə-nəs /

1. A soft type of coal that burns with a smoky, yellow flame. Bituminous coal is the most abundant form of coal. It has a high sulfur content, and when burned, gives off sulfurous compounds that contribute to air pollution and acid rain.
2. Compare anthracite

Word History and Origins

Origin of bituminous coal¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

More than 80% of Virginia's mining employment is in bituminous coal which is the chief mining product of the nation as a whole.

From Project Gutenberg

The odor of the petroleum first discovered was similar to that of the cheap bituminous coal.

From Project Gutenberg

By 1900 the eight-hour day was the rule in the building trades, in granite cutting and in bituminous coal mining.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a locality of bituminous coal on Fox River, about forty miles south.

From Project Gutenberg

Bituminous coal exists in great profusion in various parts of the Western Valley.

From Project Gutenberg