Coals: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to pieces of carbonaceous material, typically used for fuel or grilling.

• We need to add more coals to the barbecue for it to stay hot.
• He shoveled the coals into the forge to increase the heat.

Refers to glowing remains of a fire that can still generate heat and light, often used in literary contexts to signify lingering emotions or memories.

• The embers in the fireplace provided a soft, warm glow.
• As the argument cooled, the embers of their passionate relationship still burned in their hearts.

Refers to the residue left after something is burned, often used in a metaphorical context to signify the remnants of something destroyed or past.

• After the fire was extinguished, only ashes remained.
• She looked at the ashes of her burned-down house with tears in her eyes.

Refers to partially burned pieces of coal or wood that are no longer flaming but still have some heat.

• Mind your step around the fire pit; there are still some hot cinders.
• The cinders from the campfire remained warm long after the flames died down.

Used when referring to the general form of combustible rock composed of carbonized plant matter. Often used in plural form to describe the material burnt in stoves or grills.

• We need to add more coals to the barbecue to keep it hot.
• The blacksmith used red-hot coals to shape the metal.

Refers to a hard, compact variety of coal that has the highest energy content among all types of coal, containing the highest percentage of carbon. It's often used for heating and in industrial applications due to its low smoke output.

• Anthracite is preferred for heating homes because it burns cleaner and longer.
• The power plant uses anthracite due to its high efficiency.

Describes a medium-grade coal with a high carbon content and a higher heating value compared to lignite but lower than anthracite. Commonly used for electricity generation and in the steelmaking industry.

• Bituminous coal is widely used in electricity generation plants.
• The steel industry relies on bituminous coal for its coking properties.

Represents the lowest rank of coal, also known as brown coal, with the least amount of carbon and highest moisture content. Typically used for electricity generation but less efficient and more polluting compared to other coal types.

• Lignite is often used in power plants located near its source due to its low energy density.
• Some countries have significant reserves of lignite, which they use for cheap electricity despite its environmental impact.