coal-bunker

The ship's crew loads coal into the coal-bunker below deck.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A coal-bunker is a container or storage area, often located in a basement or on a ship, used for storing coal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ship's coal-bunker was filled to capacity before the long voyage. (The storage area for coal on the vessel was completely full.)
  • We need to order more coal for the household coal-bunker before winter arrives. (The domestic storage container for coal requires replenishment.)

Advanced Usage

• "to empty the coal-bunker": to remove all coal from the storage area, often for cleaning or refilling.

  • The workers spent the morning emptying the coal-bunker to inspect for damage. (They cleared out the coal storage to check its condition.)

• "coal-bunker capacity": the maximum amount of coal that can be held in a specific storage space.

  • The coal-bunker capacity of the old steamship was inadequate for a transatlantic crossing. (The ship could not store enough coal for the entire journey.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bunker (n): a large container or shelter, often for storage or protection.

  • The military built a concrete bunker for ammunition storage. (A reinforced shelter for military supplies.)

• Coal (n): a black or dark-brown combustible mineral used as fuel.

  • The coal was extracted from a deep mine in the region. (The fuel material was mined from underground.)

Synonyms

• Coal store: a place where coal is kept for later use.
• Fuel bunker: a storage compartment for fuel, especially on ships or in industrial settings.

Related Idioms

• "Coal in the bunker": a metaphorical phrase meaning having resources (especially fuel) ready for use.
  • With the coal in the bunker, we can survive the cold months. (We have enough fuel stored to endure winter.)