broken coal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Industrial / Historical
Quick answer
What does “broken coal” mean?
Coal that has been crushed or fragmented into smaller, irregular pieces, often as a byproduct of mining or handling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Coal that has been crushed or fragmented into smaller, irregular pieces, often as a byproduct of mining or handling.
A specific grade or size of coal, smaller than lump coal but larger than coal dust or slack; also refers to the process or state of coal being fractured.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more historically prevalent in UK mining and domestic contexts (e.g., 'best broken coal'). In modern US contexts, specifications like 'nut coal' or 'stove coal' might be more common for similar sizes.
Connotations
In the UK, it may carry historical/industrial nostalgia. In the US, it sounds more explicitly technical or archaic.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary everyday language in both regions. Higher historical frequency in UK texts.
Grammar
How to Use “broken coal” in a Sentence
[Verb] + broken coal: sort/grade/burn broken coal[Adjective] + broken coal: best/large/domestic broken coal[Preposition] + broken coal: a load of broken coal, a pile of broken coalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “broken coal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb. The term is exclusively a noun.]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb. The term is exclusively a noun.]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb.]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used attributively. Can precede a noun like 'grade': 'a broken-coal grade'.]
American English
- [Rarely used attributively. Can precede a noun like 'size': 'broken-coal specifications'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In historical or specialised energy/commodity trading: 'The contract specifies 100 tonnes of best broken coal.'
Academic
In historical or technical papers on mining, energy history, or industrial archaeology.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Possibly used by older generations recalling domestic heating: 'We used to order broken coal for the stove.'
Technical
In mining engineering, fuel technology, and boiler specifications to denote a particular size fraction for efficient combustion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “broken coal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “broken coal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broken coal”
- Using it as a verb phrase (e.g., 'He broken the coal') – it's a compound noun. / Confusing it with 'burned coal' (ash) or 'bad coal' (poor quality).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Broken coal' is a fixed compound noun for a commercial/technical grade. 'Coal that is broken' is a descriptive phrase for any coal in pieces.
It would sound very unusual or technical unless you are specifically discussing historical domestic heating or mining. Most people would just say 'small pieces of coal'.
In grading terms, the direct opposite in size is 'lump coal' or 'large coal'.
Its use has declined with the reduction of deep coal mining and domestic solid fuel heating. More precise industrial terms like 'nut grade' or size ranges in millimetres are now common.
Coal that has been crushed or fragmented into smaller, irregular pieces, often as a byproduct of mining or handling.
Broken coal is usually technical / industrial / historical in register.
Broken coal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrəʊ.kən ˈkəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbroʊ.kən ˈkoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The term is literal.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a coal sack with a **broken** handle, spilling out **coal** in **broken** pieces onto the floor.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOT APPLICABLE (Highly literal technical term)
Practice
Quiz
In a technical mining context, 'broken coal' primarily refers to: