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coal tar
noun
: tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used especially as an industrial fuel, in making dyes, and in the topical treatment of skin disorders
Examples of coal tar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the steamrollers evened out the crushed limestone track, a final coat of a coal tar binding agent was applied and the track was ready for racing.
—Dawn Mitchell, The Indianapolis Star, 21 May 2024
Vogel pointed out the swirls of coal tar, and other inky substances, streaming by on the surface of the canal like galaxies.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024
Over the next three decades, Danson tried nearly everything to fix it, including light boxes, coal tar and various ointments and diets.
—USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
The report said coal tar and other toxic residues started seeping into groundwater through the bed of a 72-inch storm water pipe the city had laid below Oronoco Street when the plant site was redeveloped in the late 1970s.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
Occupational hazards, such as exposure to asbestos, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, coal tar, disease fuel emissions, formaldehyde, and medical radiation, can all increase the risk of lung cancer.
—Eva Epker, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
Under the consent decree filed on Wednesday, city officials agreed to take new steps to seal the leaking storm sewer and install additional recovery wells used to collect coal tar residues.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2023
When searching for the best dandruff shampoo for dogs, keep an eye out for products that contain coal tar.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Dermalogica ensures that this serum is free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, coal tar and sulfates.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coal tar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near coal tar
Cite this Entry
“Coal tar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coal%20tar. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
coal tar
noun
: tar obtained from bituminous coal and used especially in making drugs and dyes
Medical Definition
coal tar
noun
: tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used in the treatment of some skin diseases by direct local application to the skin
More from Merriam-Webster on coal tar
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coal tar
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