noun
lignite
LIG-nyte
Lignite (noun) means a low-grade type of coal that is brownish-black in colour. Example: “The museum had a lump of lignite on display beside samples of other kinds of coal.”
noun
1
A low-grade type of coal that is brownish-black in colour.
"The museum had a lump of lignite on display beside samples of other kinds of coal."
"She noticed that the lignite was much browner than the coal her grandfather used to burn."
"The geologist picked up a piece of lignite and turned it over in her hand."
How to use lignite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLignite is a brownish-black, low-grade kind of coal.
When to use it
Lignite is a neutral, technical term found in geology and energy writing.
Memory tip
Remember the stress on the first syllable and say the ending like the word night.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
lignin
Common pairings
a lump of lignite
lignite coal
lignite deposits
a lignite mine
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lignite.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum had a lump of _____ on display beside samples of other kinds of coal.
Etymology
The word came into English from French, where lignite was formed from the Latin lignum, meaning firewood, plus the suffix -ite.
Synonyms
View more →
brown coal
Rhymes for lignite
See all rhymes for lignite →Frequently asked questions
What is lignite?
Lignite is a low-grade, brownish-black coal. It is also known as brown coal.
Is lignite the same as brown coal?
Yes, brown coal is another name for lignite.
How do you pronounce lignite?
It is pronounced LIG-nyte, with the stress on the first syllable and the ending rhyming with night.
What is the meaning of lignite?
"lignite" (noun) means a low-grade type of coal that is brownish-black in colour.
