coach

1 of 2

noun

ˈkōch 

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

: 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

Illustration of coach

• coach 1a

coach

2 of 2

verb

coached; coaching; coaches

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

ˈkō-chə-bəl 

adjective

coacher noun

Synonyms of coach

Noun

• trainer
• manager

Verb

• guide
• mentor

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

Moore was named the Cougars’ new head coach this past offseason, while Miller left his role as wide receivers coach at Boise State to become offensive coordinator in Pullman; both coaches played together at Boise State in the early 2010s. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Have new financial realities given birth to unfireable coaches? — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Spoelstra hasn’t reached out to any of them to pick their brains on coaching Antetokounmpo. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

The focus of coaching, in turn, is moving beyond traditional goal-setting to include strengthening judgment, building adaptability and applying insights to real-world challenges. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1608, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing coach

• coach dog
• hackney coach
• life coach

Rhymes for coach

• broach
• loach
• poach
• roach
• roche
• approach
• cockroach
• encroach
• reproach
• stagecoach

Kids Definition

coach

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōch 

1

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

c

: bus entry 1 sense 1

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