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.

---

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

---

Coaster ² British  

/ ˈkəʊstə /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of coaster

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

Example Sentences

"My life is a broken roller coaster, but maybe I'm the only one to blame," they sing on the melancholy Merry Go Round.

From BBC

Banksy’s prices have been on a roller coaster in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Expect it to serve as an introductory, big kid coaster for many.

From Los Angeles Times

Universal Studios Hollywood has begun peeling back the curtain — or opening the garage? — on its new “Fast & Furious”-inspired coaster coming to the park this summer.

From Los Angeles Times

The sector has been on a roller coaster in the past four years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• plate