coattail

noun coat·tail \ ˈkōt-ˌtāl \

Definition of coattail

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

See coattail defined for English-language learners

See coattail defined for kids

Recent Examples of coattail from the Web

If Donald Trump loses, what does that say about his coattails and influence?

— john sharp, AL.com, "How 'Big Luther' can score a big comeback in Alabama's Senate race," 27 Aug. 2017
The CAN show, riding on the coattails of FRONT, is also to be repeated every three years.

— steven litt, cleveland.com, "CAN, the Collective Arts Network, plans local triennial alongside FRONT International next summer," 25 Aug. 2017
So now tell him jump on the Big Ballers' coattails.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Shaq's LaVar Ball diss track references Pat Riley, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade," 29 July 2017
At Racked, Eliza Brooke looks at that enduring style icon — the French Girl — and the big money to be made riding her aspirational, stylishly flyaway coattails.

— michelle w., Longreads, "#FrenchGirlGoals: Artful Dishevelment and Animal Fats," 5 July 2017
With his presidential victory came Republican control of the House and Senate, in part because of his coattails.

— daniel henninger, WSJ, "Should Trump Abandon the GOP?," 28 June 2017
The bride wore a white lace princess gown and a diamond tiara while the groom wore coattails.

— emma stefansky, Vanities, "Amid All the D.C. Drama, Trump and Family Attend Steve Mnuchin’s Wedding," 25 June 2017
Traditions born of Curaçao also include the unique attire—top hats and tuxedos with long coattails—worn by Mikvé Israel-Emanuel’s board and honorees on Yom Kippur.

— ryan schuessler, Smithsonian, "Why Sand Covers the Floor of One of the Western Hemisphere’s Oldest Synagogues," 15 June 2017
When students came out in droves to vote for the hope and change offered by Obama, Perriello rode his coattails.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Leftward lurch in Democratic gubernatorial primary reflects the transformation of Virginia," 13 June 2017

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

First Known Use of coattail

circa 1600

COATTAIL Defined for English Language Learners

coattail

noun

Definition of coattail for English Language Learners

: a long piece of cloth that hangs down at the back of a man's formal coat
coattails : the help or influence of another person's work, ideas, or popularity