lignite

noun

lig·​nite ˈlig-ˌnīt How to pronounce lignite (audio)
: a usually brownish black coal intermediate between peat and bituminous coal
especially : one in which the texture of the original wood is distinct

called also brown coal

lignitic adjective

Examples of lignite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The measure also requires plants that use lignite coal to meet the same mercury emissions standards as facilities firing other types of coal. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2024 Countries do want to get rid of coal, especially the more polluting lignite variety. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune Europe, 9 July 2024 The company is calculating with different scenarios for its lignite business, according to Chief Executive Officer Thorsten Kramer. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune Europe, 9 July 2024 Should Germany run its nuclear plants longer and even restart some dirty lignite coal plants? Niclas Poitiers, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for lignite 

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin lignum

First Known Use

circa 1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lignite was circa 1808

Dictionary Entries Near lignite

Cite this Entry

“Lignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lignite. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lignite

noun
lig·​nite ˈlig-ˌnīt How to pronounce lignite (audio)
: a usually brownish black coal between peat and bituminous coal in age and heating ability
especially : one in which the texture of the original wood is distinct

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