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

The New York Post's Lauren Sarner called the new season "an unhinged disaster" and "an off-the-rails roller coaster of insanity".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 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

One roaster’s ride on the roller coaster of coffee pricing helps explain the many reasons consumers keep paying more for a cup of joe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“It can be a roller coaster at times, but over the long run, we believe in the studios’ ability to outperform,” Chiappetta said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

I place my glass on a coaster and stand.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

• plate