coalition

[ koh-uh-lish-uhn ]
See synonyms for coalition on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a combination or alliance, especially a temporary one between persons, factions, states, etc.

  2. a union into one body or mass; fusion.

Origin of coalition

1
1605–15; <Latin coalitiōn- (stem of coalitiō), equivalent to coalit(us), past participle of coalēscere (co-co- + ali-, past participle stem of alere to nourish + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn--ion; see coalesce

Other words for coalition

Other words from coalition

  • co·a·li·tion·al, adjective
  • co·a·li·tion·er, noun

Words Nearby coalition

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use coalition in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coalition

coalition

/ (ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃən) /


noun
    • an alliance or union between groups, factions, or parties, esp for some temporary and specific reason

    • (as modifier): a coalition government

  1. a fusion or merging into one body or mass

Origin of coalition

1
C17: from Medieval Latin coalitiō, from Latin coalēscere to coalesce

Derived forms of coalition

  • coalitional, adjective
  • coalitionist or coalitioner, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for coalition

coalition

An alliance of political groups formed to oppose a common foe or pursue a common goal.

Notes for coalition

In countries with many political parties, none of which can get a majority of the citizens' votes, the only way an effective government can be formed is by a coalition of parties. Such coalitions are often unstable.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.