coalition

noun

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

Synonyms of coalition

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

Examples of coalition in a Sentence

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

Her government is also set to scrap restrictions on lethal arms exports in the coming weeks to promote the development of Japan’s defense industry and cooperation with friendly nations, based on a proposal recently submitted by her party and its governing coalition partner. —Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

The intelligence assessment concluded that no one powerful or unified opposition coalition was poised to take over in Iran if the leadership was killed, according to the people familiar with the report. —Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026

In the conservative coalition’s primary, Senator Paloma Valencia is the favorite among nine contenders. —Oscar Medina, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026

Trump officially launched the coalition at the all-day, invite-only summit at his Doral golf club near Miami. —Kate Perez, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin coalescere — see coalesce

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for coalition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

coalition

noun

co·​ali·​tion

ˌkō-ə-ˈlish-ən

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