coal

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

Examples of coal in a Sentence

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

For decades, the conventional narrative has been one in which renewables were criticized for their intermittency issues and dependence on weather conditions, whereas technologies such as coal, oil, and gas were seen as providing security. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 5 June 2026

The administration is also angling for existing coal plants in four states to remain operational past their retirement dates. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 4 June 2026

And none of them are being used at coal-burning power plants. —Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 4 June 2026

Under the plan, first reported by Bloomberg, the government will distribute up to $700 million in funds available through the Cold War-era Defense Production Act to a dozen existing coal plants, as well as funding the construction of two new ones, and a West Coast export terminal. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at 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