coaster

noun

coast·​er ˈkō-stər 

1

: one that coasts: such as

a

: a person engaged in coastal traffic or commerce

b

: a ship sailing along a coast or engaged in trade between ports of the same country

2

: a resident of a seacoast

3

a

: a tray or decanter stand usually of silver and sometimes on wheels

b

: a shallow container or a plate or mat to protect a surface

4

a

: a small vehicle (such as a sled or wagon) used in coasting

b

: roller coaster

Examples of coaster in a Sentence

Set the glass on a coaster.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its size is just right for holding my TV remotes, magazines, coasters, and favorite candles. —Ali Faccenda, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2025

More than a dozen waterslides include North America’s longest uphill water coaster, a 60-foot free-fall drop slide, and the only indoor head-first mat slide in the area. —Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025

And for all brave children, there's the Aqua Mouse water coaster, a gentle tube water slide that runs above the top deck. —Leslie D. Rose, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024

On silicon chips the size of a coaster, Ares traps a single electron inside a thin carbon wire, which is suspended between two pillars. —Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coaster

• coaster brake
• coaster wagon
• roller coaster

Kids Definition

coaster

noun

coast·​er ˈkō-stər 

1

: one that coasts

especially : a ship engaged in coastal trade

2

a

: a round tray usually of silver and sometimes on wheels

b

: a shallow container or a plate or a mat to protect a surface

3

: a small vehicle (as a sled or wagon) for coasting