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
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Artificial food colorings were originally manufactured from coal tar with most synthetic food dyes today made from petroleum, or crude oil, according to the American Chemical Society (ACS) website.
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Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Not much has changed over the past 30 years in beauty, with ingredients such as cortisone, salicylic acid, and coal tar still being used to treat common conditions such as eczema, acne, and dandruff.
—Joshua Britton, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Already, Mecklenburg County has banned coal tar products, and Lowes, Home Depot and Ace Hardware no longer carry products containing the chemical.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Zoom in: House Bill 369, the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, would also ban coal tar sealants and other toxic pavement products that are harmful to humans and the environment.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coal tar
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Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Not much has changed over the past 30 years in beauty, with ingredients such as cortisone, salicylic acid, and coal tar still being used to treat common conditions such as eczema, acne, and dandruff.
—Joshua Britton, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Already, Mecklenburg County has banned coal tar products, and Lowes, Home Depot and Ace Hardware no longer carry products containing the chemical.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
Zoom in: House Bill 369, the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, would also ban coal tar sealants and other toxic pavement products that are harmful to humans and the environment.
—Alexandria Sands, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coal tar
Cite this Entry
“Coal tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coal%20tar. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coal tar
noun
: tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used in the treatment of some skin diseases by direct local application to the skin
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