coal

1 of 2

noun

ˈkōl 

plural coals

often attributive

1

: a piece of glowing carbon or charred wood : ember

2

: charcoal sense 1

3

a

: a black or brownish-black solid combustible substance formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without free access of air and under the influence of moisture and often increased pressure and temperature that is widely used as a natural fuel

b

coals plural, British : pieces or a quantity of the fuel broken up for burning

see also:

haul (someone) over the coals rake (someone) over the coals

coal

2 of 2

verb

coaled; coaling; coals

transitive verb

1

: to burn to charcoal : char

2

: to supply with coal

intransitive verb

: to take in coal

Examples of coal in a Sentence

Noun

When the coals are red, they are very hot.

I toasted one last marshmallow over the coals of the campfire.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Interspersed throughout the myriad activations of Monterey Car Week is the most important facet for the collector community, and that’s the array of auctions that serve as either an optimistic barometer reading or an ailing canary in the coal mine. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026

Xcel is trying to reduce its reliance on coal as part of Colorado’s overall plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which fuel climate change and global warming. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

After switching to diesel electric locomotives, coaling towers were no longer needed, according to the National Park Service. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025

The arrival of steam power turned mines and coaling stations into crucial strategic assets. — Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English col, from Old English; akin to Old High German & Old Norse kol burning ember, Middle Irish gúal coal

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1560, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing coal

• bituminous coal
• brown coal
• cannel coal
• coal gas
• coal measures
• coal oil
• coal seam
• coal tar
• hard coal
• soft coal

Rhymes for coal

• bole
• bowl
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll
• nolle
• ole

Kids Definition

coal

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōl 

1

: a piece of glowing or charred wood : ember

2

: a black or brownish black solid substance formed by the partial decay of vegetable matter under the influence of moisture and often increased pressure and temperature within the earth that is widely used as a fuel

coal

2 of 2 verb

1

: to supply with coal

2

: to take in coal