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tar

noun
\ ˈtär How to pronounce tar (audio) \

Definition of tar

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : a dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (such as wood, coal, or peat)
b : a substance in some respects resembling tar especially : a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (such as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils)
2 [ short for tarpaulin ] : sailor

tar

verb (1)
tarred; tarring

Definition of tar (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with tar
2 : to defile as if with tar least tarred by the scandal — Newsweek
tar and feather
: to smear (a person) with tar and cover with feathers as a punishment or indignity
tar with the same brush
: to mark or stain with the same fault or characteristic

tar

verb (2)
\ ˈtär How to pronounce tar (audio) \
variants: or
tarred; tarring; tars or tarres

Definition of tar (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

: to urge to action —usually used with on

Tar

geographical name
\ ˈtär How to pronounce Tar (audio) \

Definition of Tar (Entry 4 of 4)

river 215 miles (346 kilometers) long in northeastern North Carolina — see pamlico
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tar

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Examples of tar in a Sentence

Noun

 a book about the adventurous lives of tars, skippers, and pirates of the 18th century

First Known Use of tar

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tar

Noun

Middle English terr, tarr, from Old English teoru; akin to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English terren, tarren, from Old English tyrwan

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More Definitions for tar

tar

noun
How to pronounce Tar (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tar

: a very thick, black, sticky liquid made from coal that becomes hard when it cools and that is used especially for road surfaces
: a sticky substance that is formed by burning tobacco

See the full definition for tar in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tar

noun
\ ˈtär How to pronounce tar (audio) \

Kids Definition of tar

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a thick dark sticky liquid made from wood, coal, or peat
2 : a substance (as one formed by burning tobacco) that resembles tar

tar

verb
tarred; tarring

Kids Definition of tar (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cover with or as if with tar

tar

noun
\ ˈtär How to pronounce tar (audio) \

Medical Definition of tar

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