coalition

American  

[koh-uh-lish-uhn] / ˌkoʊ əˈlɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a combination or alliance, especially a temporary one between persons, factions, states, etc.

   Synonyms:

   league, partnership

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

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coalition British  

/ ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃən /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a coalition government

2. a fusion or merging into one body or mass

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coalition Cultural  

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

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Discover More

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.

Other Word Forms

• coalitional
  adjective
• coalitioner
  noun
• coalitionist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of coalition

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

Explanation

A coalition is a group of people who join together for a common cause, like a coalition you form with other skateboarders who want to convince your town to build a skate park. The noun coalition comes from the Latin word coalitiō, meaning "to grow together." Often, the people and groups that form coalitions have different backgrounds but come together because they share a goal. For example, parents, teachers, business owners, and city council members might form a coalition to build a teen center, just as nations that do not agree on all issues might form a coalition because they all want peace.

Example Sentences

The new Latvian four-party coalition should enjoy a healthy majority in parliament and pursue a broadly pro-EU, pro-NATO direction.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

But since the general election in 2024, it has governed as part of a coalition after losing its majority.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

The Trump administration and a bipartisan coalition in Congress are pushing tax incentives and new revenue streams to spark U.S. maritime investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Publicly, though, Biden’s principal stated rationale for moving the state up was to increase racial diversity in the earliest voting states and reward Black voters for their significance in the Democratic Party coalition.

From Slate • May 26, 2026

The Liberals may try to form a Sonia said that the Liberals might try coalition government. to form a coalition government.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker