First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1coast
noun \ˈkōst\
: the land along or near a sea or ocean
the Coast : the area along or near the Pacific Ocean
Full Definition of COAST
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 United States
5
: the immediate area of view —used in the phrase the coast is clear
— coast·al \ˈkōs-təl\ adjective
— coast·wise \ˈkōst-ˌwīz\ adverb or adjective
— from coast to coast
: across an entire nation or continent
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Origin of COAST
Middle English cost, from Anglo-French coste, from Latin costa rib, side; akin to Old Church Slavic kostĭ bone
2coast
verb
: to move forward using no power or very little power
: to move downhill by the force of gravity
: to progress or have success without special effort
Full Definition of COAST
transitive verb
1
obsolete : to move along or past the side of : skirt
2
: to sail along the shore of
intransitive verb
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 on <a company coasting on its good reputation>
See coast defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COAST
14th century
FROM COAST TO COAST Defined for Kids
1coast
noun \ˈkōst\
Definition of COAST for Kids
: the land near a shore
2coast
verb
coast·edcoast·ing
Definition of COAST for Kids
1
: to move downhill by the force of gravity
2
: to sail close to shore along a coast
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