'coal-related' originates from modern English as a compound of 'coal' + 'related'. 'coal' itself comes from Old English 'col' meaning 'coal, charcoal', ultimately from Proto-Germanic '*kulą' (meaning 'coal'); 'related' is formed from the verb 'relate', which comes via Old French from Latin 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre').

'coal' changed from Old English 'col' into Middle English forms and eventually the modern English 'coal'. 'related' developed from Latin 'relatus' → Old French 'relater' → Middle English 'relaten/relate' and the adjective 'related' in modern English.

Initially the components referred separately to 'coal' (the substance) and 'related' (having connection). The compound 'coal-related' has kept the combined meaning of 'connected with coal' and is used to describe matters pertaining to coal or its industry.