coat

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a
: an outer garment worn on the upper body and varying in length and style according to fashion and use
b
: something resembling a coat
2
: the external growth on an animal
3
: a layer of one substance covering another
a coat of paint
coated adjective
coatless adjective

coat

2 of 2

verb

coated; coating; coats

transitive verb

1
: to cover with a coat
2
: to cover or spread with a finishing, protecting, or enclosing layer
coater noun

Examples of coat in a Sentence

Noun She put on her coat, hat, and gloves, and then she went outside. He was wearing a coat and tie. The dog has a thick coat. The house needed three coats to cover the original paint. Verb Rock dust coated his hair. My shoes are coated with mud. Coat the chicken with flour.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
If donning the jacket leather side up, pops of sherpa fuzziness will still be yours to enjoy, as the coat’s patch pockets are artfully topped by the material. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 This lightweight acrylic-blend sweater is a perfect layering piece under a leather jacket or winter coat. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cook, stirring and tossing constantly, until pasta is coated in sauce, about 2 minutes. Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 The rice is perfect, each grain separate, coated with ghee, and fragrant with spice. Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cote, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kozza coarse wool mantle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coat was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coat. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

coat

1 of 2 noun
1
: an outer garment varying in length and style according to fashion and use
2
: the outer covering (as of fur) of an animal
3
: a layer of material covering a surface
a coat of paint
coated adjective

coat

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with a coat or covering

Medical Definition

coat

noun
1
: the external growth on an animal
2
: a layer of one substance covering or lining another
especially : one covering or lining an organ
the coat of the eyeball

More from Merriam-Webster on coat

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