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

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

Phrases

haul/rake (someone) over the coals

informal

: to criticize (someone) very severely

The government was then raked over the coals for refusing to send out information about the candidates.

—The Economist

The Headmaster was angry. So angry, indeed, that he did what in a more lucid interval he would not have done. He hauled a senior over the coals in the hearing of a number of juniors …

—P. G. Wodehouse

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

Global capacity to generate power from coal, one of the most polluting fossil fuels, grew in 2023, driven by a wave of new plants coming online in China that coincided with a slowing pace of retirements of older plants in the United States and Europe, according to an annual report. —Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

In 2023, electricity from wind and solar was significantly less expensive than from coal, nuclear and natural gas. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods. —Júlia Ledur, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024

But given that Baltimore is the second largest coal export port, coal shipments will be hurt. —Josh Funk, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

Silica dust is 20 times more toxic than coal dust and causes severe forms of black lung disease after even a few years of exposure. —Matthew Daly, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024

On Tuesday, federal officials posted new rules to protect coal and other miners from toxic silica dust, a growing problem in mines that has left thousands sick and dying. —Howard Berkes, NPR, 16 Apr. 2024

It can be found in sand, stone, and soil, and its dust is common in coal and other types of mining. —Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024

The production of coal, oil, natural gas and cement combined for around 30,000 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2022 alone. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024

Verb

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

The Navy built a coaling station in 1901, about the same time Katherine Tingley established her Lomaland headquarters for the Theosophical Society, now the Point Loma Nazarene University campus. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023

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

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

coal

2 of 2 verb

1

: to supply with coal

2

: to take in coal