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• coaster
  coaster

  noun

  a person or thing that coasts.
• Coaster
  Coaster

  noun

  a person from the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

coaster

American  

[koh-ster] / ˈkoʊ stər /

noun

1. a person or thing that coasts.

2. a small dish, tray, or mat, especially for placing under a glass to protect a table from moisture.

3. a ship engaged in coastwise trade.

4. a sled for coasting.

5. a tray for holding a decanter to be passed around a dining table.

6. roller coaster.

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coaster ¹ British  

/ ˈkəʊstə /

noun

1. a vessel or trader engaged in coastal commerce

2. a small tray, sometimes on wheels, for holding a decanter, wine bottle, etc

3. a person or thing that coasts

4. a protective disc or mat for glasses or bottles

5. short for roller coaster

6. a European resident on the coast

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Coaster ² British  

/ ˈkəʊstə /

noun

1. a person from the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

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Etymology

Origin of coaster

First recorded in 1565–75; coast + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Equities were on an oil-slicked roller coaster today.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Once upon a time, Primm, Nev., had three bustling casino resorts, shiny gas stations, a roller coaster and Bonnie and Clyde’s “death car.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

What followed was something of a real estate roller coaster that saw the home spinning on and off the market on several occasions, each time with a lower price tag.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

"We knew we needed to change things quite quickly to get off for the year, so that was why we wanted to introduce a coaster," Mellors says.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Instead we stared blankly at the papers, or out the windows—each of us lost in an ocean of thoughts and a roller coaster of emotions.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea

Related Words

• plate