Producing or containing carbon or coal.

Of or relating to the Carboniferous geologic era.
From 280 million to 345 million years ago; Also called: Carboniferous period.
bearing carbon
Period of geological time 363–290 million years ago, the fifth period of the Paleozoic era. In the US it is divided into two periods: the Mississippian (lower) and the Pennsylvanian (upper).
Typical of the lower-Carboniferous rocks are shallow-water limestones, while upper-Carboniferous rocks have delta deposits with coal (hence the name). Amphibians were abundant, and reptiles evolved during this period.