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
During last conclave in 2013, which ended with the election of Francis, the black smoke was a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component of coal tar) and sulfur.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 May 2025
During the two-day-long conclave in 2013, a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component in coal tar), and sulfur was used to make the black smoke.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
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.
—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
See All Example Sentences for coal tar
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 May 2025
During the two-day-long conclave in 2013, a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component in coal tar), and sulfur was used to make the black smoke.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
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.
—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
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 8 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share