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coal

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noun American English pronunciation: coal /koʊl/ 
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singularcoal
pluralcoals
  1. [uncountable] a hard black substance that is dug from the ground and burned as fuel to provide heat

    Put some more coal on the fire.

    coal dust

    a piece of coal

    1. a.
      [uncountable] used for talking about the industry of digging coal out of the ground

      Is there a future for coal?

      the coal industry

    2. b.
      [countable] a piece of coal, especially when it is burning

      Nina stirred the coals with the poker.

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