1 water gas | Definition of water gas

water gas

noun

Definition of water gas

: a poisonous flammable gaseous mixture that consists chiefly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with small amounts of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, is usually made by blowing air and then steam over red-hot coke or coal, and is used as a fuel or after carbureting as an illuminant

First Known Use of water gas

1833, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on water gas

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water gas