1
: the land near a shore : seashore
3
a
: a hill or slope suited to coasting
b
: a slide down a slope (as on a sled)
4
often capitalized
: the Pacific coast of the U.S.
5
: the immediate area of view
—used in the phrase the coast is clear
coasted; coasting; coasts
1
obsolete
: to move along or past the side of : skirt
2
: to sail along the shore of
1
a
archaic
: to travel on land along a coast or along or past the side of something
b
: to sail along the shore
2
a
: to slide, run, or glide downhill by the force of gravity
b
: to move along without or as if without further application of propulsive power (as by momentum or gravity)
c
: to proceed easily without special application of effort or concern
coasted through school
—often used with ona company coasting on its good reputation
Synonyms
Examples of coast in a Sentence
Noun
He lives on the coast.
He's flying out to the Coast tomorrow.
Verb
The car coasted to a stop.
The airplane coasted down the runway.
The children coasted on sleds down the snowy hill.
They came coasting down the hill on bicycles.
After taking a big lead, the team coasted to victory.
He was accused of trying to coast through school.
She decided she could coast along without a job for the next few months.
The company is coasting on its good reputation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Chania, on the northwest coast, is a microcosm of its rich history, with evidence of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians, the Ottomans, and the Egyptians—every culture and civilization that touched Crete over time.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
The Chargers can coast into the playoffs, as their final two games are against the Patriots and Raiders, but both are on the road.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for coast 
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Noun
One tsunami wave measuring about 8 inches reached some coasts and ports at about 10 p.m., authorities said.
—Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
Chania, on the northwest coast, is a microcosm of its rich history, with evidence of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians, the Ottomans, and the Egyptians—every culture and civilization that touched Crete over time.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Tigers were given a tough task to open conference play last Saturday, ultimately falling to No. 2 Auburn 84-68, but the losses ended there with LSU entering Mizzou Arena.
Mizzou coasted into halftime with a 42-27 lead, led by sophomore Anthony Robinson’s 12 points in the first half.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
The Chargers can coast into the playoffs, as their final two games are against the Patriots and Raiders, but both are on the road.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for coast
Dictionary Entries Near coast
Cite this Entry
“Coast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coast. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coast
2 of 2 verb1
: to sail along the shore of
2
a
: to slide downhill by the force of gravity
b
: to move along (as on a bicycle when not pedaling) without applying power
3
: to succeed without special effort
coasted through school
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