coal tar

noun

1. a thick, black, viscid liquid formed during the distillation of coal, that upon further distillation yields compounds, as benzene, anthracene, and phenol, from which are derived a large number of dyes, drugs, and other synthetic compounds, and that yields a final residuum coal-tar pitch, which is used chiefly in making pavements.

coal tar

noun

1. a black tar, produced by the distillation of bituminous coal, that can be further distilled to yield benzene, toluene, xylene, anthracene, phenol, etc

coal tar

1. A thick, sticky, black liquid obtained through the destructive distillation (heating in the absence of air) of coal. It is used as a source of many organic compounds, such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenols, which are used in dyes, drugs, and other compounds.

Other Words From

• coal-tar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal tar¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The first food dyes were created from coal tar in the late 1800s.

From The Daily Beast

Most of the cheaper dyes made from coal tar are fugitive; that is, they fade in sunlight or water or in both.

From Project Gutenberg

Buri straw intended for mats is usually colored with the cheap imported coal tar dyes previously noted.

From Project Gutenberg

Anthracene is one of the last products passing over in the dry distillation of coal-tar.

From Project Gutenberg

Or perhaps you put in some imitations of them, made from coal tar chemicals, and drink them at your soda fountains!

From Project Gutenberg

Aniline, an′il-in, n. a product of coal-tar extensively used in dyeing and other industrial arts.

From Project Gutenberg