coalition

noun

co·​a·​li·​tion ˌkō-ə-ˈli-shən 

1

a

: the act of coalescing : union

the coalition of water vapor into raindrops

b

: a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements : combination

They formed a coalition with downtown merchants.

2

: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action

A multiparty coalition ruled the country.

coalitionist

ˌkō-ə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms

• bloc
• block
• body
• faction
• party
• sect
• set
• side
• wing

Examples of coalition in a Sentence

The groups united to form a coalition.

A multiparty coalition ruled the country.

The group is working in coalition with other environmental groups.

Recent Examples on the Web

His finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has promised to withdraw from the government coalition if Israel does not return to war in Gaza when the current ceasefire expires on March 1. —Mick Krever, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025

Meloni spearheads the nationalist Brothers of Italy party, as well as the hard-right coalition voted into power in 2022. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2025

Germany’s mainstream parties have refused to enter coalitions with the AfD, which German intelligence agencies classify as an extremist organization. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

The groups represented seven trans children, a coalition of trans-affirming medical providers, and the LGBTQ+ advocacy group. —Abby Monteil, Them, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin coalescere — see coalesce

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

coalition

noun

co·​ali·​tion

ˌkō-ə-ˈlish-ən

: a temporary union of persons, parties, or countries for a common purpose