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Synonyms

trench coat

American  

noun

  1. a waterproof overcoat styled along military lines, belted, with straps on the shoulders and lower sleeves.


trench coat British  

noun

  1. a belted double-breasted waterproof coat of gabardine, etc, resembling a military officer's coat

"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

Etymology

Origin of trench coat

First recorded in 1915–20

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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.

If he goes full trench coat, like Neo in The Matrix, consider taking profits.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

However, let me whip out my beige trench coat and magnifying glass as I tell you: My investigation did uncover some interesting questions about the origins of this salmon.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

He showed up outside James’s Brooklyn home in a trench coat resembling that of TV police lieutenant Columbo and posed for photos that appeared in the media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

After all, some things never go out of style—like the perfect trench coat or a crisp white T-shirt.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

Below the article is a photo of Kent being led from his flat by a government agent in a long trench coat.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

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