coattail

noun

coat·​tail ˈkōt-ˌtāl How to pronounce coattail (audio)
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
coattails plural : the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
3
coattails plural : the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (such as a political candidate)
congressmen riding into office on the president's coattails

Examples of coattail in a Sentence

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.
Grasping onto the coattails of the waning mid-aughts, Simon Says failed to conjure much interest at the time. Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025 This will presumably result in less coattail voting. Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025 The second, published this month, was designed to give the reader a book to push through the stubborn coattails of winter and into the warmth of spring. Stefano Montali, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 Another nominee seasoned by primary battles could have fared better against the very flawed Trump and provided coattails for other Democratic candidates. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coattail

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coattail was circa 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Coattail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coattail. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

coattail

noun
coat·​tail ˈkōt-ˌtāl How to pronounce coattail (audio)
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
plural : the influence of a popular movement or person
politicians riding into office on the president's coattails
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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