Illustration of coach
- coach 1a
often attributive
1
a
: a large usually closed four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat in front for the driver
On special occasions the queen rides in a gold coach.
b
: a railroad passenger car intended primarily for day travel
Smoking is not permitted in the train's coaches.
c
: bus sense 1a
toured the city by coach
d
e
: a 2-door enclosed automobile
f
: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
We reserved two seats in coach.
2
[from the concept that the tutor conveys the student through examinations]
a
: a private tutor
hired a coach to help her daughter prepare for the test
b
: one who instructs or trains
an acting coach
a birth coach
especially
: one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a sport and directs team strategy
a football coach
a pitching coach
a gymnastics coach
coached; coaching; coaches
1
: to go in a coach
2
: to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach
When an injury ended his playing career, he decided to coach.
1
: to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration)
coach pupils
The lawyer coached the witness.
2
: to act as coach of
coach tennis
coach a team
coacher
noun
Synonyms
Examples of coach in a Sentence
Noun
a track star who has been working with a new coach
In those days, people usually traveled long distances in coaches.
Verb
He coaches the tennis star.
He has coached the team for several years.
She coached the U.S. gymnastics team at the Olympics.
He has coached at the college level for many years.
The lawyer admitted to coaching the witness.
It was clear that the witness had been coached by her lawyer on how to answer the questions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
Sign up for Educating Arizona,a new education newsletter from The Arizona Republic
In Washington Elementary, Rich Morris, an administrative coach, said that the reasons behind many absences are unreported.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
He’s been like an extra coach on the field at times, wide receiver Austin Bolt said.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024
Isaacs became head coach at Foothill in 1994, succeeding Hansen, who stepped down that year.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
That changed when head coach John Rauch was replaced in 1972 with Lou Saban, and Simpson soon was setting records again – in 1973 becoming the first back in history to rush for over 2,000 yards.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Martin during his pregame media session on Sunday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Vargas scored six goals under coach (and former Sporting great) Benny Feilhaber at the MLS NEXT Pro level last season.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2024
Successful rep or not, however, Betts would consult with infield coach Dino Ebel, or solicit instant feedback from teammate Miguel Rojas.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
St Fleur, who primarily coaches women of color, said many of her clients have the right credentials and experience for certain jobs but aren't being hired.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
And now arguably as good at the craft of coaching as anybody, woman or man, college or pro, any sport.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
In Challengers, Zendaya plays a tennis prodigy who pivots to coaching after a career-ending injury.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
Staley, who has been in coaching for more than two decades, also has extensive Final Four experience as a player, leading her Virginia team in the late '80s and early '90s to three Final Fours and one title game.
—NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
The West, coached by USD’s Steve Lavin and his staff, won this year’s game 87-75.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
McNeese State gave Wade the chance to return to coaching this season.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Peterson, the former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager, explained that in a lot of ways, he’s been searching for head coaching candidates for the last decade.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
The Bengals quarterback and head coach answered a few post-game questions from Simpson, who at the time was a broadcaster for NBC.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
Sign up for Educating Arizona,a new education newsletter from The Arizona Republic
In Washington Elementary, Rich Morris, an administrative coach, said that the reasons behind many absences are unreported.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024
He’s been like an extra coach on the field at times, wide receiver Austin Bolt said.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024
Isaacs became head coach at Foothill in 1994, succeeding Hansen, who stepped down that year.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
That changed when head coach John Rauch was replaced in 1972 with Lou Saban, and Simpson soon was setting records again – in 1973 becoming the first back in history to rush for over 2,000 yards.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Martin during his pregame media session on Sunday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Vargas scored six goals under coach (and former Sporting great) Benny Feilhaber at the MLS NEXT Pro level last season.
—Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2024
Successful rep or not, however, Betts would consult with infield coach Dino Ebel, or solicit instant feedback from teammate Miguel Rojas.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Verb
Aside from a one-season hiatus in the 1990s to coach the U.S. women’s national team to a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, VanDerveer was a fixture on the Stanford sideline.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
St Fleur, who primarily coaches women of color, said many of her clients have the right credentials and experience for certain jobs but aren't being hired.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
And now arguably as good at the craft of coaching as anybody, woman or man, college or pro, any sport.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
In Challengers, Zendaya plays a tennis prodigy who pivots to coaching after a career-ending injury.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
Staley, who has been in coaching for more than two decades, also has extensive Final Four experience as a player, leading her Virginia team in the late '80s and early '90s to three Final Fours and one title game.
—NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
The West, coached by USD’s Steve Lavin and his staff, won this year’s game 87-75.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
McNeese State gave Wade the chance to return to coaching this season.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Peterson, the former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager, explained that in a lot of ways, he’s been searching for head coaching candidates for the last decade.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near coach
Cite this Entry
“Coach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coach. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coach
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a large usually closed four-wheeled carriage that has a raised seat in front for the driver and is drawn by horses
b
: a railroad passenger car without berths
d
: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
2
a
: a private tutor
b
: a person who instructs or trains a performer or team
a football coach
coach
2 of 2 verb
: to act as a coach
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share