coach

noun, often attributive

\ ˈkōch

Definition of coach

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 : trailer sense 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.

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

coach

verb

coached; coaching; coaches

Definition of coach (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from coach Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about coach

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Synonyms for coach

Synonyms: Noun

trainer

Synonyms: Verb

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

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: Noun

Most of the players are here because of their powerhouse coach, Shirley Irizarry. — Kate Morgan, Woman's Day, "A New Jersey Softball Team Is Lifting Its City's Spirits," 21 Mar. 2019 But none of that has deterred Shirley or the league’s parents, coaches, or players at all. — Kate Morgan, Woman's Day, "A New Jersey Softball Team Is Lifting Its City's Spirits," 21 Mar. 2019 Others charged in the criminal investigation included SAT and ACT test administrators, an exam proctor, college coaches, a college administrator, and 33 parents, according to CNN. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Internet Is Savagely Dragging Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman for Their College Bribery Scandal," 12 Mar. 2019 CBC News reported the team’s head coach, Darcy Haugan, was one of the people killed in the incident. — Fox News, "Crash of hockey team's bus leaves at least 15 dead, town devastated," 2 Oct. 2018 On the site, a friendly, digital retirement coach named Avo℠ offers a personalized action plan for getting your retirement savings on track. — Stephanie Walden, USA TODAY, "How to find balance and get your retirement plan back on track," 13 July 2018 Forty Literacy AmeriCorps members, who serve as graduation coaches, mentors and reading tutors at sites throughout the county, have collectively amassed 41,424 hours of training at the center. — Kari Barnett, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County looks back on 5 years in new building," 12 July 2018 Maybe the amusing moment will inspire Blake to pop the question to his girlfriend, and former Voice coach, Gwen Stefani on the singing competition!? — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "A 'Voice' Contestant Proposed to His Girlfriend on Air and It Got Hilariously Awkward," 12 Mar. 2019 The coaches were from various prestigious institutions including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, Wake Forest, the University of Texas, the University of Southern California and UCLA, Associated Press reports. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Internet Is Savagely Dragging Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman for Their College Bribery Scandal," 12 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Josh Jackson's shot-selection struggles Jackson played in just three of the Suns’ five games but those three games had to be a bit concerning for Phoenix’s coaching staff. — Scott Bordow, azcentral, "Phoenix Suns' summer-league takeaways: Deandre Ayton's progress, efforts of Davon Reed, Shaq Harrison," 13 July 2018 This was no accident, rather the result of a concerted effort by a coaching staff to maximize the scoring potential of dead-ball situations. — Grant Wahl, SI.com, "The World Cup of Set Pieces: How Teams Are Living Off Dead-Ball Plays," 10 July 2018 He was held back by a colleague, but that official then became entangled with someone who appeared to be a member of the R.A.W. Athletics coaching staff. — Cam Smith, USA TODAY, "Players, officials tangle in massive brawl during boys basketball tournament," 9 July 2018 The Huntington Beach coaching staff saw the makings of another Kufta that would excel at the varsity level, as Kelli Kufta became just one of two freshmen to make the varsity roster in 2015. — Andrew Turner, latimes.com, "Daily Pilot Softball Dream Team: Unexpected year from Kelli Kufta kept Huntington Beach strong," 8 July 2018 While Rivals debates whether Sean Dollars or Austin Jones is the top ball-carrier in the West region, Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff have a simple solution - sign both. — Andrew Nemec, OregonLive.com, "Austin Jones, nation's No. 4 RB, cuts list to 5; Oregon Ducks in mix," 12 June 2018 The New England Patriots, coached by the 66-year-old veteran Bill Belichick, devised a stifling defensive game plan that limited the Rams to three points. — Sam Walker, WSJ, "The Truth About Failing Spectacularly," 16 Feb. 2019 Into this unfamiliar territory stepped a fresh, exciting England team, one stripped of the unwarranted swagger of its predecessors and coached by a fundamentally decent, approachable man. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England’s World Cup Dreams," 12 July 2018 By signing free agents, but fact: What free agents in the top 15 are going to want to be coached by Fred Hoiberg? — Tom, Dublin, Ohio That’s some strong cynicism for the offseason. — K.c. Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Bulls Q&A: Should Wendell Carter Jr. enter Hall of Fame this week or next? What's the starting lineup?," 12 July 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.