coaster

noun

coast·​er ˈkō-stər 

1

: one that coasts: such as

a

: a person engaged in coastal traffic or commerce

b

: a ship sailing along a coast or engaged in trade between ports of the same country

2

: a resident of a seacoast

3

a

: a tray or decanter stand usually of silver and sometimes on wheels

b

: a shallow container or a plate or mat to protect a surface

4

a

: a small vehicle (such as a sled or wagon) used in coasting

b

: roller coaster

Examples of coaster in a Sentence

Set the glass on a coaster.

Recent Examples on the Web

The $8 million double-racing wooden coaster featured the longest and highest vertical drop in the nation — 147 feet at a 55-degree angle — at the time. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026

Other popular house-merch items as seen on social media include coasters, stickers, or drink koozies. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026

Many of Playland's rides — including the coaster, which last ran in 2024 — were forced to shut down last year due to safety concerns. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026

In that incident, riders on Superman the Ride were forced to climb down a steep elevated section of track after the coaster failed to complete its normal cycle. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coaster

• coaster brake
• coaster wagon
• roller-coaster

Rhymes for coaster

• poster
• roaster
• toaster
• paternoster

Kids Definition

coaster

noun

coast·​er ˈkō-stər 

1

: one that coasts

especially : a ship engaged in coastal trade

2

a

: a round tray usually of silver and sometimes on wheels

b

: a shallow container or a plate or a mat to protect a surface

3

: a small vehicle (as a sled or wagon) for coasting