Word
collier
Phoneticscol·lier
US/ˈkɑɫjɝ/
UK/kˈɒliɐ/
Definitions
01coal miner
n. a person who works in a coal mine.
n. a coal miner or someone involved in the production and distribution of coal.
“The old collier spent forty years working deep underground in the pits.”
“By the mid-nineteenth century, the life of a collier was defined by grueling shifts and the constant threat of structural collapses within the mines.”
Archaic
Usage
Common in historical literature but largely replaced by 'miner' in modern speech.
Teaching tip
This term is mostly found in British historical contexts or literature about the industrial revolution.
Synonyms
02coal-carrying ship
n. a large ship used for carrying coal.
n. a bulk cargo vessel specifically designed or used for transporting coal by sea.
“The collier arrived at the port to unload tons of coal for the power station.”
“The fleet consisted mainly of colliers, which were essential for maintaining the fuel supply to the coastal cities during the winter months.”
Technical
Usage
Used as a technical term in maritime history and shipping.
Teaching tip
In a nautical context, this refers to the ship itself, not the crew, though it can occasionally refer to a sailor on such a ship.
Synonyms
Etymology
Derived from the name of occupation - collier (“charcoal burner”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/collier