white coal

noun

1. Informal. water, as of a stream, used for power.

white coal

noun

1. water, esp when flowing and providing a potential source of usable power

Word History and Origins

Origin of white coal¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

There is surely enough "white coal" rushing by us to turn the wheels of the factories of a continent.

From Project Gutenberg

"White coal" will, Bailey Willis says, make a great industrial region of it, and plant an urban life in it.

From Project Gutenberg

This would be a plan for the wedding of the stream and the mine, the white coal with the black.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the waterfalls are sometimes termed the "white coal" of that country.

From Project Gutenberg