Definition of "creosote" [cre•o•sote]

• A colorless to yellowish oily liquid containing phenols and creosols, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood tar, especially from the wood of a beech, and formerly used as an expectorant in treating chronic bronchitis. (noun)
• A yellowish to greenish-brown oily liquid containing phenols and creosols, obtained from coal tar and used as a wood preservative and disinfectant. It can cause severe neurological disturbances if inhaled in strong concentrations. (noun)
• To treat or paint with creosote. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "American manufacturer, and one of unknown origin, but sold as beech-wood creosote (German), and each proved to be _pure wood creosote_."
• "That, in turn, can create a big problem, especially if the chimney is lined with creosote, which is combustible, the National Association of State Fire Marshals cautions."
• "The view from this window was of Mad Uncle Jack's tree house, built entirely of dried fish and covered in creosote."