coal tar

noun

: tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used especially as an industrial fuel, in making dyes, and in the topical treatment of skin disorders

Examples of coal tar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carbon stores industrial heat The carbon blocks and insulation used in the batteries are made by heating lower-purity carbon feedstocks, including petroleum coke and coal tar pitch, in high-temperature furnaces. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

Working in his parents’ attic in London, Perkin began experimenting with aniline, a clear oil derived from coal tar—the leftover thick black goo from Victorian gas lighting. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026

That land was also home to a portion of the Citizens Gas manufactured gas plant, leaving behind layers of coal tar and hazardous waste. — Michelle De La Uz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026

The Lake Forest City Council has taken the first step toward banning coal tar sealant, a pavement product that contains compounds known to cause cancer. — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coal tar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• alvar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar

Kids Definition

coal tar

noun

: tar obtained from bituminous coal and used especially in making drugs and dyes

Medical Definition

coal tar

noun

ˈkōl- 

: tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used in the treatment of some skin diseases by direct local application to the skin