coalition

[koh-uh-lish-uhn]

noun

1. a combination or alliance, especially a temporary one between persons, factions, states, etc.

   Synonyms: league, partnership

2. a union into one body or mass; fusion.

coalition

/ ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. an alliance or union between groups, factions, or parties, esp for some temporary and specific reason

   2. ( as modifier )

      a coalition government

2. a fusion or merging into one body or mass

coalition

1. An alliance of political groups formed to oppose a common foe or pursue a common goal.

In countries with many political parties, none of which can get a majority of the citizens' votes, the only way an effective government can be formed is by a coalition of parties. Such coalitions are often unstable.

Other Word Forms

• coalitional adjective
• coalitioner noun
• coalitionist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coalition¹

1605–15; < Latin coalitiōn- (stem of coalitiō ), equivalent to coalit ( us ), past participle of coalēscere ( co- co- + ali-, past participle stem of alere to nourish + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion; coalesce

Word History and Origins

Origin of coalition¹

C17: from Medieval Latin coalitiō, from Latin coalēscere to _coalesce

Example Sentences

Founded in 2013, it offered investments in “conscious coalition” companies and offered carbon credits to businesses.

From Los Angeles Times

On Wednesday, a coalition of student unions met with lawmakers and demanded an independent investigation into the police violence, portending further protests.

From Los Angeles Times

The last Labour government started issuing ID cards to UK citizens, but the scheme was scrapped by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition over privacy concerns.

From BBC

Nato chief Mark Rutte said the aim was to have "clarity" on what the coalition could deliver so they could discuss what the Americans could provide.

From BBC

However, the group's lawyers appealed for more money after new evidence showed officials of the then-Liberal National coalition government knew the scheme was "unlawful" but continued anyway.

From BBC