/ kəʊl; NAmE koʊl/ noun
1.
[ U ] a hard black mineral that is found below the ground and burnt to produce heat :
I put more coal on the fire.
a lump of coal
a coal fire
a coal mine
the coal industry
—picture at fireplace
2.
[ C ] a piece of coal, especially one that is burning :
A hot coal fell out of the fire and burnt the carpet.
•
IDIOMS
- carry, take, etc. coals to Newcastle
—more at haul verb , rake verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English col (in the senses glowing ember and charred remnant ), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kool and German Kohle . The sense combustible mineral used as fuel dates from Middle English .