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; coalesce

Example Sentences

If the conventional wisdom was indeed the original meaning, its defenders should be able to identify members of the enacting coalition who said so.

From The Wall Street Journal

The signatories agreed to “join a coalition to combat narco-terrorism” and advocated for the policy of “peace through strength.”

From Salon

The coalition poised to challenge Nigeria's president in next year's election has received a major boost after prominent opposition figure Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso announced that he was joining.

From BBC

The No Kings coalition estimates that at least eight million people nationwide participated.

From The Wall Street Journal

The “No Kings” coalition estimates that seven million people went to demonstrations in October, two million more than the first rally last June.

From The Wall Street Journal