coal tar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Scientific / Historical
Quick answer
What does “coal tar” mean?
A thick, black, viscous liquid produced by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a complex mixture of hundreds of organic compounds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thick, black, viscous liquid produced by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a complex mixture of hundreds of organic compounds.
The substance serves as a primary raw material for the chemical industry, especially historically. It is used to produce a wide range of products including medicinal chemicals, dyes, plastics, and roofing/road materials.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains 'coal tar' in both.
Connotations
Often associated with the Industrial Revolution, Victorian-era gasworks, and the early chemical industry. Can carry negative connotations related to pollution and carcinogenicity.
Frequency
Equal, low frequency in both dialects. Primarily encountered in historical, industrial, or chemical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coal tar” in a Sentence
[verb] coal tar: produce, distill, extract, use, treat with, containcoal tar [verb]: is produced, smells, is used, was appliedcoal tar [noun]: products, residues, smell, industry, treatmentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coal tar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard. Hypothetical: 'The process will coal-tar the timber for preservation.']
American English
- [Not standard. Hypothetical: 'They decided to coal-tar the driveway.']
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The old gasworks site had a distinct coal-tar smell.
- Coal-tar residues contaminated the soil.
American English
- The roofing crew used a coal-tar sealant.
- He was prescribed a coal-tar shampoo for the condition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used in specific industries like roofing, road construction (for 'coal tar pitch'), or specialty chemicals.
Academic
Used in chemistry, industrial history, pharmacology (historical treatments), and environmental science contexts.
Everyday
Very rare. May be encountered in discussions of old medical treatments (e.g., for psoriasis) or historical sites.
Technical
Standard term in industrial chemistry, materials science, and hazardous material documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coal tar”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coal tar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coal tar”
- Misspelling as 'coaltar' (should be two words or hyphenated: 'coal-tar').
- Confusing it with 'crude oil' or 'asphalt'.
- Using it as a verb (it is a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but its use has declined. It is still used in some specialty applications like certain medicated shampoos, high-performance roofing sealants, and as a source for specific industrial chemicals, though many products have been replaced by petroleum-based alternatives.
Yes. Coal tar contains known carcinogens like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Occupational exposure and environmental contamination are significant health concerns. Its medicinal use is now highly regulated.
Both are black, viscous materials used in paving and roofing. Coal tar is derived from coal, while asphalt is derived from crude oil. They have different chemical compositions and properties; coal tar is generally more resistant to fuel and oil spills.
It was the foundation of the modern organic chemical industry in the 19th century. From coal tar, chemists first isolated and synthesized countless compounds, including the first synthetic dyes (like mauveine), drugs (like aspirin), perfumes, and explosives.
A thick, black, viscous liquid produced by the destructive distillation of coal. It is a complex mixture of hundreds of organic compounds.
Coal tar is usually technical / scientific / historical in register.
Coal tar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊl ˌtɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊl ˌtɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly used idiomatically]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COAL mine producing a sticky, black TAR as a by-product. 'Coal' provides the source, 'tar' describes its thick, dark, liquid nature.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE OF COMPLEXITY: 'Coal tar' can metaphorically represent a dark, messy, or complicated source from which many different things are derived (e.g., 'The scandal was a coal tar of conflicting accusations').
Practice
Quiz
What is coal tar primarily known as in an industrial context?