1. Hard, lustrous coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon and low percentage of volatile matter, generally formed by dynamic metamorphism but may it be produced by contact metamorphism induced by igneous intrusion.
2. A hard, dense, shiny variety of coal, containing over 90 percent carbon and a low percentage of ash and impurities, which causes it to burn without flame, smoke, or odor.

Because of its purity, anthracite gives off relatively little sulfur dioxide when burned.