coattail

noun

coat·​tail ˈkōt-ˌtāl How to pronounce coattail (audio)
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
coattails plural : the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
3
coattails plural : the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (such as a political candidate)
congressmen riding into office on the president's coattails

Examples of coattail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In such an unsettled race, The Substance’s Margaret Qualley could ride in on Demi Moore’s coattails. Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025 The president-elect has long berated U.S. allies for riding on the coattails of U.S. power and largesse. Yan Xuetong, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024 Some lawmakers rode his coattails and won because of his landslide. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 That announcement came on the coattails of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa being fined over $11,000 for wearing a MAGA hat. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coattail 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coattail was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near coattail

Cite this Entry

“Coattail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coattail. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

coattail

noun
coat·​tail ˈkōt-ˌtāl How to pronounce coattail (audio)
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
plural : the influence of a popular movement or person
politicians riding into office on the president's coattails
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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