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.

---

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

---

coalition Cultural  

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

---

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; coalesce

Example Sentences

"Our coalition relies on the Iranian people, especially the Kurds," he said.

From Barron's

Oil prices had surged the previous summer when Iraq invaded Kuwait but had their largest ever single day plunge after coalition bombing began in Jan. 1991.

From The Wall Street Journal

Analysts expect no single party to win an outright majority in parliament, likely leading to a coalition government.

From Barron's

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who presides over a center-left coalition government, responded on X: “Mr. Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"Whether I will continue to be your prime minister depends on how strong a mandate you give the Social Democrats," Frederiksen said mentioning her party, the lead partner in the current Danish coalition.

From BBC