1
: the land near a shore : seashore
3
a
: a hill or slope suited to coasting
b
: a slide down a slope (as on a sled)
4
often capitalized
: the Pacific coast of the U.S.
5
: the immediate area of view
—used in the phrase the coast is clear
coasted; coasting; coasts
1
obsolete
: to move along or past the side of : skirt
2
: to sail along the shore of
1
a
archaic
: to travel on land along a coast or along or past the side of something
b
: to sail along the shore
2
a
: to slide, run, or glide downhill by the force of gravity
b
: to move along without or as if without further application of propulsive power (as by momentum or gravity)
c
: to proceed easily without special application of effort or concern
coasted through school
—often used with ona company coasting on its good reputation
Examples of coast in a Sentence
Noun
He lives on the coast.
He's flying out to the Coast tomorrow.
Verb
The car coasted to a stop.
The airplane coasted down the runway.
The children coasted on sleds down the snowy hill.
They came coasting down the hill on bicycles.
After taking a big lead, the team coasted to victory.
He was accused of trying to coast through school.
She decided she could coast along without a job for the next few months.
The company is coasting on its good reputation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Most Maya people moved from cities to villages, many along the peninsula’s coast, after there were no more inland cities to try to make a life in.
—Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
These days cruise ships coast through the passage every year, often visiting grave sites of Franklin expedition members.
—Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coast
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Seas are forecast to rise from 8 inches to 23 inches along the nation’s coasts by 2050, with the higher increases along the northern Gulf Coast and mid-Atlantic.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Most Maya people moved from cities to villages, many along the peninsula’s coast, after there were no more inland cities to try to make a life in.
—Lizzie Wade, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Verb
The first episode of Sirens mostly coasted on vibes.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
These days cruise ships coast through the passage every year, often visiting grave sites of Franklin expedition members.
—Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coast
Cite this Entry
“Coast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coast. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coast
2 of 2 verb1
: to sail along the shore of
2
a
: to slide downhill by the force of gravity
b
: to move along (as on a bicycle when not pedaling) without applying power
3
: to succeed without special effort
coasted through school
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