coalition

[koh-uh-lish-uhn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coalition ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

a union into one body or mass; fusion.

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

Related formsco·a·li·tion·al, adjectiveco·a·li·tion·er, noun

Synonyms for coalition

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coalition ON THESAURUS.COM

1. partnership; league.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for coalition

alliance, affiliation, conspiracy, ring, compact, amalgamation, union, integration, combine, bloc, confederacy, federation, combination, faction, consolidation, fusion, unification, party, conjunction, league

Examples from the Web for coalition

Contemporary Examples of coalition

But taking such action puts them at odds with the most powerful and best-organized segment of their coalition.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats
Daniel DiSalvo
December 29, 2014
U.S.-led coalition airstrikes recently have been increased on Raqqa.
Did ISIS Shoot Down a Fighter Jet?
Jamie Dettmer, Christopher Dickey
December 24, 2014
On one night earlier this month, the coalition launched 30 strikes on the town.
Did ISIS Shoot Down a Fighter Jet?
Jamie Dettmer, Christopher Dickey
December 24, 2014
Faced with the loss of middle class voters, the administration seems determined to double down on its current coalition.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats
Joel Kotkin
December 21, 2014
At the time, the Special Forces were pushing into Afghan villages previously unoccupied by coalition forces.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back
Kevin Maurer
December 8, 2014

Historical Examples of coalition

Then the Coalition came along and his place knew him no more.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, March 1, 1916
Various
Let us suppose a coalition party to be formed called the Labor Party.
Socialism As It Is
William English Walling
The triumph of the Coalition and the entry of the allies into Paris.
The Gods are Athirst
Anatole France
The reader will naturally ask—Can this be called a Coalition?
William Pitt and the Great War
John Holland Rose
Then among artists was a coalition of brains, a welding together of souls.
En Route
J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans

British Dictionary definitions for coalition

coalition

noun

an alliance or union between groups, factions, or parties, esp for some temporary and specific reason
(as modifier)a coalition government

a fusion or merging into one body or mass

Derived Formscoalitional, adjectivecoalitionist or coalitioner, noun

Word Origin for coalition

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

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

Word Origin and History for coalition

1610s, "the growing together of parts," from French coalition (1540s), from Late Latin coalitus "fellowship," originally past participle of Latin coalescere (see coalesce). First used in a political sense 1715.

coalition in Culture

coalition

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

Note

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.