coal tar
noun
a thick, black, viscid liquid formed during the distillation of coal, that upon further distillation yields compounds, as benzene, anthracene, and phenol, from which are derived a large number of dyes, drugs, and other synthetic compounds, and that yields a final residuum (coal-tar pitch), which is used chiefly in making pavements.
Origin of coal tar
First recorded in 1775–85
OTHER WORDS FROM coal tar
coal-tar, adjectiveWords nearby coal tar
coal pit,
coal pot,
coal sack,
coal scuttle,
coal seam,
coal tar,
coal tit,
coal-tar creosote,
coal-tar pitch,
coala,
coalbin
Example sentences from the Web for coal tar
British Dictionary definitions for coal tar
coal tar
noun
a black tar, produced by the distillation of bituminous coal, that can be further distilled to yield benzene, toluene, xylene, anthracene, phenol, etc
Medical definitions for coal tar
coal tar
[ kōl ]
n.
A viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds that is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and that has many uses including as raw material for many dyes, drugs, and paints.
Scientific definitions for coal tar
coal tar
A thick, sticky, black liquid obtained through the destructive distillation (heating in the absence of air) of coal. It is used as a source of many organic compounds, such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenols, which are used in dyes, drugs, and other compounds.