coal oil

noun

1
: petroleum or a refined oil prepared from it
2

Examples of coal oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The woman carried two lanterns and a can of coal oil. Lisa Wells, Harper’s Magazine , 15 Mar. 2023 Over 1,000 people showed up on a drizzly night to cheer as firefighters doused buildings with coal oil and set them ablaze. Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coal oil.' 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

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coal oil was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near coal oil

Cite this Entry

“Coal oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coal%20oil. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

coal oil

noun
1
: petroleum or a refined oil prepared from it
2

More from Merriam-Webster on coal oil

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