coast

noun

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\ ˈkōst

Definition of coast

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the land near a shore : seashore

2 obsolete : border, frontier

3a : a hill or slope suited to coasting

b : a slide down a slope (as on a sled)

4 often capitalized : the Pacific coast of the U.S.

5 : the immediate area of view —used in the phrase the coast is clear

from coast to coast

: across an entire nation or continent

coast

verb

coasted; coasting; coasts

Definition of coast (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to move along or past the side of : skirt

2 : to sail along the shore of

intransitive verb

1a archaic : to travel on land along a coast or along or past the side of something

b : to sail along the shore

2a : to slide, run, or glide downhill by the force of gravity

b : to move along without or as if without further application of propulsive power (as by momentum or gravity)

c : to proceed easily without special application of effort or concern coasted through school —often used with on a company coasting on its good reputation

Other Words from coast Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About coast

Synonyms & Antonyms for coast

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

flounder,
struggle

Examples of coast in a Sentence

Noun He lives on the coast. He's flying out to the Coast tomorrow. Verb The car coasted to a stop. The airplane coasted down the runway. The children coasted on sleds down the snowy hill. They came coasting down the hill on bicycles. After taking a big lead, the team coasted to victory. He was accused of trying to coast through school. She decided she could coast along without a job for the next few months. The company is coasting on its good reputation.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun A dozen of the dead then were hit by waves on the eastern coast of Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania. — New York Times, 16 Jan. 2022 On California's central coast, the National Weather Service reported tsunami waves up to 2.5 feet and flooding in beach parking lots at Port San Luis. — Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2022 South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) travelled about 267 miles to a maximum altitude of 22 miles after being launched eastward on the northwest coast of North Korea. — NBC News, 15 Jan. 2022 On the opposite coast, students at Redondo Union High School (RUHS) in Redondo Beach, California, also planned a walkout on Wednesday in protest of in-person classes. — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2022 Even in the gray days of Oregon’s winter, vivid pops of color can be found on the Oregon coast. — oregonlive, 13 Jan. 2022 The estate is located in the Catania area on Sicily’s east coast. — Helena Madden, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2022 In late 2020, an F-16 vanished shortly after taking off from the Hualien Air Base on Taiwan's east coast on a routine training mission. — Reuters, CNN, 11 Jan. 2022 The Niitaka, a Japanese cruiser, sinks in a storm on the Russian coast, killing 300. — Marc Bona, cleveland, 10 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb These Lakers, even at full strength, are mediocre and prone to coast through games. — New York Times, 24 Dec. 2021 New lighting will coast about $124,000, and another $50,000 is earmarked to replace microphones and install a wireless microphone system. — Gloria Casas, chicagotribune.com, 24 Dec. 2021 Richard Clucas, a political science professor at Portland State University — where Kristoff's parents used to teach — said Kristoff won't be able to coast to election victory on name recognition. — BostonGlobe.com, 27 Oct. 2021 Houston’s light and luscious voice allows the disco grooves to coast along until the chorus explodes. — Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 14 Dec. 2021 The depressed turnout was partly attributed to a series of public polls that predicted Mr. Murphy would coast to victory — and proved wildly inaccurate. — New York Times, 4 Nov. 2021 After three straight losses, the Bulldogs (4-3) were in no position to coast against anyone. — David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Nov. 2021 Saint Andrew’s seized a 35-17 halftime lead and outscored the Cougars 38-22 in the second half to coast to the victory. — Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, 23 Nov. 2021 Every public opinion poll throughout the campaign had showed that Mr. Murphy would coast to an easy victory. — New York Times, 3 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.