coach

1 of 2

noun

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
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

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 adjective
coacher noun

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
The well-being and safety of every Suns employee, player, coach and stakeholder is first and foremost our priority. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 In nine seasons as New Mexico State’s coach, Menzies won five WAC titles to reach the NCAA Tournament. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 But the future Mountaineers head coach was so blown away by Gregory’s performance that Kerns screen-grabbed a picture of the Charlotte native to alert his fellow coaches at Wofford on the recruiting trail. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 As crowds fill Galen Center and the Trojans march into the national spotlight again, the Seattle Storm head coach can’t help but be in awe of a mission accomplished. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Since McDaniel arrived as head coach, tight ends have been sparsely utilized in the passing game. Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Combining his extremely rare athletic traits with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s guidance could create a nightmare for the rest of the league. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 But while Klopp would like a piece of silverware to mark his departure from the club, Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping for some to ensure his isn’t premature. Matias Grez, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024 Former teammates and roommates and always BFFs, there are no secrets when Marty Ellis and Mike Tully match wits as longtime basketball coaches in the CIF San Diego Section. Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024
Verb
Dorsey died from complications of a stroke on Monday, Michael Holloway, a longtime coaching colleague, confirmed to The Florida Times-Union. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 And the boundary issues of everyone coaching you on how to feel now. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 He’s coached at virtually every level in American soccer since, including as the head coach for a Major League Soccer team. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 So embrace the elegance of intervention in coaching and witness its power to unlock new levels of understanding and self-discovery. Andrea Wanerstrand, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Until recently, Olea continued to coach young girls at his studio in Key Biscayne and at another facility in Kendall. Ana Claudia Chacin and, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 But the nine-year head coach is just excited to be coaching her team for another week. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024 Jorge Zavala was trying to win his seventh title in 24 years coaching at Mater Dei and Marian Catholic. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Yet there is no one-size-fits-all approach to coaching and improving performance. Kazuyoshi Hisano, Forbes, 23 Feb. 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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coach was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near coach

Cite this Entry

“Coach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coach. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

coach

1 of 2 noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on coach

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