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

    2. ( as modifier )

      a coalition government

  1. a fusion or merging into one body or mass

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meta and Google are also listed as “creative partners” on the coalition’s website.

From Los Angeles Times

A coalition of public safety unions has started a campaign arguing that binding arbitration would “remove politics from pay decisions” and leave “pay decisions in the hands of neutral experts.”

From Los Angeles Times

The coalition, a partnership dating back to the 1940s, has twice split and reunited under her leadership, further undermining her tenure.

From BBC

The tax was pushed by Restore Healthcare for Angelenos, a coalition of healthcare workers and advocates, who argue it is necessary to ward off mass layoffs of healthcare workers and keep emergency rooms open.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a difficult balancing act with the technologists and immigration hard-liners within the president’s coalition,” said Neil Suri, a vice president at research and advisory firm Capstone who focuses on technology policy.

From The Wall Street Journal