coach

noun, often attributive \ ˈkōch \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of coach

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 1a

toured the city by coach

d : trailer 1b

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.

[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

See coach defined for English-language learners

See coach defined for kids

Examples of coach in a Sentence

a track star who has been working with a new coach
In those days, people usually traveled long distances in coaches.

Recent Examples of coach from the Web

The English team hasn't disclosed the names of the coaches.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Rafael Nadal’s clay streak ends with Madrid defeat," 12 May 2018
Regardless, Gase is confident in his team, as any coach would be and should be at this stage in the offseason.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "The Miami Dolphins will get a partial look at their new roster at rookie minicamp," 11 May 2018
The Dolphins’ two starting safeties – Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald – both return, and while Miami’s coaches weren’t comfortable with how that pair played together in 2017, nobody on the staff is ready to give up on them excelling together yet.

— omar kelly, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins hoping Minkah Fitzpatrick can fix Miami's lackluster defense," 11 May 2018
But New Caney track and field coaches Sara Sheppard and Joshua Potter knew this was the year.

— adam coleman, Houston Chronicle, "New Caney’s Nastassja Campbell sets 5A pole vault record at state," 11 May 2018
Brad Stevens is hands down the best coach in the league and deserved the award this year.

— frankie prijatel, NOLA.com, "Big names mean big business: This Week in Photos," 11 May 2018
After an undefeated football season, Cowen was unable to keep the coach from leaving, even with a big raise.

— jeffrey j. selingo, Washington Post, "Scott Cowen led Tulane through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Now, he has ideas on how to fix higher education.," 11 May 2018
Whether Hammon will make a good NBA head coach isn’t something that seems particularly knowable either way.

— dan wolken, USA TODAY, "Why it's ridiculous, but predictable, that Brad Stevens' peers snubbed him," 10 May 2018
All coaches are, but for a rebuilding team, the future needs some consideration.

— doug lesmerises, cleveland.com, "The DeShone Kizer answer for why Tyrod Taylor should start for the Browns: Doug Lesmerises," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of coach

Origin and Etymology of coach

Middle English coche, from Middle French, from German Kutsche, from Hungarian kocsi (szekér), literally, wagon from Kocs, Hungary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1556

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

coach Synonyms

Synonyms

trainer;

Related Words

handler, manager;

instructor, teacher, tutor;

driller, drillmaster;

adviser (also advisor), counselor (or counsellor), guide, mentor;

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, cupola, gauge, vestibule, yard

coach

verb

Definition of coach

intransitive verb

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.

transitive verb

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

—

coachable

play \ˈkō-chə-bəl\ adjective

—

coacher

noun

See coach defined for English-language learners

Examples of coach in a Sentence

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 of coach from the Web

Knox coached the Detroit Lions offensive line in 1967-72 under head coach Joe Schmidt.

— detroit free press news services, Detroit Free Press, "Chuck Knox, former Detroit Lions assistant and NFL head coach, dies," 13 May 2018
Texans coach Bill O'Brien was noncommittal on offensive lineman Jeff Allen's status one day after the right guard was placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list.

— aaron wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Bill O'Brien noncommittal on Texans guard Jeff Allen's status," 12 May 2018
Phillips coached the girls basketball team at Bulkeley from 1978-2001.

— staff report, courant.com, "Northwest Catholic Names New Girls Basketball Coaching Staff And It Includes Rebecca Lobo," 11 May 2018
The group also coached the plaintiffs on how to fake their injuries convincingly, according to prosecutors.

— New York Times, "How a Web of Slip-and-Fall Cases Puts a New Spin on an Old-Fashioned Scheme," 11 May 2018
Casey coached the Raptors to a franchise-record 59 wins this season and their first-ever top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

— chuck schilken, latimes.com, "Toronto Raptors fire coach Dwane Casey after record-setting season," 11 May 2018
Rossmiller also coaches for MBDA honor bands, mentors colleagues and helps with technology incorporation in the instrumental music classroom.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Menomonee Falls High School to induct three into Hall of Fame," 11 May 2018
Jets coach Paul Maurice now is 3-0 all-time in Game 7s all on the road.

— Washington Post, "Vegas next in Western final after Jets stun Preds in Game 7," 11 May 2018
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn didn’t want an inspirational moment.

— dan woike, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chargers coach Lynn goes back to school and earns diploma," 11 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of coach

see ¹coach

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1630

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

coach Synonyms

Synonyms

counsel, guide, lead, mentor, pilot, shepherd, show, tutor;

Related Words

godfather;

direct, engineer, steer, sway;

accompany, attend, chaperone (or chaperon), convoy, escort, see, squire;

oversee, superintend, supervise;

drill, train;

brief, enlighten, inform;

instruct, school, teach, tutor;

inculcate, indoctrinate;

cultivate, foster, nurture;

Phrases

walk through;

COACH Defined for English Language Learners

coach

noun

Definition of coach for English Language Learners

: a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer
: a person who teaches and trains the members of a sports team and makes decisions about how the team plays during games
: a private teacher who gives someone lessons in a particular subject

coach

verb

Definition of coach for English Language Learners

: to teach and train (an athlete or performer)
: to teach, train, and direct (a sports team)
: to teach (a student) privately rather than in a class

COACH Defined for Kids

coach

noun \ ˈkōch \

Definition of coach for Students

1 : a large carriage that has four wheels and a raised seat outside in front for the driver and is drawn by horses

2 : a person who instructs or trains a performer or team

3 : a person who teaches students individually

4 : a railroad passenger car without berths

5 : the least expensive seats on an airplane or a train

coach

verb

Definition of coach for Students

coached; coaching

: to teach and train

Learn More about coach

See words that rhyme with coach Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coach Spanish Central: Translation of coach Nglish: Translation of coach for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of coach for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coach

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coach

Definition of coach

Examples of coach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coach from the Web

Illustration of coach

Origin and Etymology of coach

coach Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Railroad Terms

coach

Definition of coach

coachable

coacher

Examples of coach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of coach from the Web

Origin and Etymology of coach

coach Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases

COACH Defined for English Language Learners

coach

Definition of coach for English Language Learners

coach

Definition of coach for English Language Learners

COACH Defined for Kids

coach

Definition of coach for Students

coach

Definition of coach for Students

Learn More about coach

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