coal gas

noun

: gas made from coal: such as
a
: the mixture of gases thrown off by burning coal
b
: gas made by carbonizing bituminous coal in retorts and used for heating and lighting

Examples of coal gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Similar events elsewhere, whether the introduction and control of coal gas in the United Kingdom or constructing bridge barriers in Australia and New Zealand, show that reducing access to common lethal means of suicide also reduces suicide deaths. — Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024 The pollutants come from the site of the former Alexandria Town Gas manufacturing plant, which produced coal gas from 1851 to 1947 at North Lee and Oronoco streets in Old Town, according to a 2021 report prepared for the city by Cardno, an environmental consulting firm. — Teo Armus, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023 So cars were modified in France to run on coal gas. — Larry Printz, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2023 Diesel shortages during World War II prompted Belgium to run its public buses on a combination of ammonia and coal gas. — IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for coal gas

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coal gas was in 1806

Rhymes for coal gas

See All Rhymes for coal gas

Browse Nearby Words

coalfish
coal gas
coal hod
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coal gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coal%20gas. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

coal gas

noun
: gas from coal
especially : gas made from bituminous coal and used for heating and lighting

More from Merriam-Webster on coal gas

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coal gas

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