coalition

1 of 2

noun (1)

co·​a·​li·​tion ˌkō-ə-ˈli-shən 

1

a

: the act of coalescing : union

the coalition of water vapor into raindrops

b

: a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements : combination

They formed a coalition with downtown merchants.

2

: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action

A multiparty coalition ruled the country.

coalitionist

ˌkō-ə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

coalitionist

2 of 2

noun (2)

co·​a·​li·​tion·​ist ˌkō-ə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nist 

variants or coalitioner

ˌkō-ə-ˈli-shə-nər

plural -s

: one who joins, aids, or favors a coalition

Synonyms of coalition

Noun (1)

• faction
• party
• wing
• side
• bloc
• team

Examples of coalition in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The groups united to form a coalition.

A multiparty coalition ruled the country.

The group is working in coalition with other environmental groups.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those standards are being written now, by a coalition organized around a chip company, with the model labs on the outside. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

One of them is Antonio Maíllo, general coordinator of Izquierda Unida, one of the political parties forming a government coalition with Sánchez's Socialist Party. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

Riyadh said 14 countries offered support for the coalition, including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria and several other Arab and African nations. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

The party has occasionally found fleeting success by leaning into ethnic coalition-building within shifting suburban enclaves, finding localized victories in places such as Orange County’s Little Saigon. — Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French, from Latin coalescere — see coalesce

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for coalition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

coalition

noun

co·​ali·​tion

ˌkō-ə-ˈlish-ən

: a temporary union of persons, parties, or countries for a common purpose