Illustration of coach
- coach 1a
often attributive
1
a
: a large usually closed four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat in front for the driver
On special occasions the queen rides in a gold coach.
b
: a railroad passenger car intended primarily for day travel
Smoking is not permitted in the train's coaches.
c
: bus sense 1a
toured the city by coach
d
e
: a 2-door enclosed automobile
f
: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
We reserved two seats in coach.
2
[from the concept that the tutor conveys the student through examinations]
a
: a private tutor
hired a coach to help her daughter prepare for the test
b
: one who instructs or trains
an acting coach
a birth coach
especially
: one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a sport and directs team strategy
a football coach
a pitching coach
a gymnastics coach
coached; coaching; coaches
1
: to go in a coach
2
: to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach
When an injury ended his playing career, he decided to coach.
1
: to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration)
coach pupils
The lawyer coached the witness.
2
: to act as coach of
coach tennis
coach a team
coacher
noun
Examples of coach in a Sentence
Noun
a track star who has been working with a new coach
In those days, people usually traveled long distances in coaches.
Verb
He coaches the tennis star.
He has coached the team for several years.
She coached the U.S. gymnastics team at the Olympics.
He has coached at the college level for many years.
The lawyer admitted to coaching the witness.
It was clear that the witness had been coached by her lawyer on how to answer the questions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rich Walsh, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan’s basketball coach in 2019.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The job opened when former coach Corey Metz retired from coaching after last season, when the Rams went 6-5.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coach
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
An abysmal start to the 2025 season last fall led to Penn State firing then head coach James Franklin and promoting Smith on an interim basis.
—Rich Walsh, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan’s basketball coach in 2019.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Leonard coaches an athlete who has shown pro potential, his son, Caden Leonard.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The job opened when former coach Corey Metz retired from coaching after last season, when the Rams went 6-5.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coach
Cite this Entry
“Coach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coach. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coach
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a large usually closed four-wheeled carriage that has a raised seat in front for the driver and is drawn by horses
b
: a railroad passenger car without berths
d
: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
2
a
: a private tutor
b
: a person who instructs or trains a performer or team
a football coach
coach
2 of 2 verb
: to act as a coach
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