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coast Definition

coast (kōst)

noun

  1. land alongside the sea; seashore
  2. Obsolete frontier; borderland
  3. ☆

    Etymology: < CdnFr, hillside, slope

    an incline down which a slide is taken
  4. ☆ a slide or ride, as on a sled going down an incline by the force of gravity

Etymology: ME coste, coast < OFr, a rib, hill, shore, coast < L costa, a rib, side

intransitive verb

  1. to sail near or along a coast, esp. from port to port
  2. ☆ to go down an incline, as on a sled
  3. ☆ to continue in motion on momentum or by the force of gravity after propelling power has stopped
  4. ☆ to continue without serious effort, letting one's past efforts carry one along

transitive verb

to sail along or near the coast of
coast Idioms

the Coast

☆ Informal in the U.S., the Pacific coast

the coast is clear

there is no apparent danger or hindrance
coast Synonyms

coast

n.

seashore, shoreline, beach, seaboard; see shore. See syn. study at shore.

coast Synonyms

coast

v.

glide, float, slide, sled; see drift, ride 1, 3, slide 1.

coast Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • Hondura: Appetizers served never coast of honduras since this was the water was.
  • peninsula: We're setting out to cross Devon, and thence Somerset, to reach the north coast of the southwest peninsula at Porlock.
  • island: In 1947 he built a home called Blue Harbor on the north coast of the island.

Converse of object

  • indent: Fine mountain and moor scenery; sandy bays indent rocky coast.
  • rejoin: The footpath rejoins the coast and the cycleway at Llanddulas.

Adjective modifier

  • east: Some Roman coins have been found on the east coast of Ireland, brought no doubt by traders or raiders.
  • west: The seaweed itself can be found in some parts of the west coast, clinging to the rocks at low tide.
  • south: The south west coast has a very mild climate due to the warm air of the Gulf Stream.
  • north: In 1947 he built a home called Blue Harbor on the north coast of the island.
  • East: Some of the best beaches on the East coast are within one hour: this is a very pretty drive through the hills.
  • West: The entire North West coast of Scotland had ground to a halt.

Modifies a noun

  • path: The coast path to Looe heads directly away from the harbor to the east, initially along a narrow lane heading fairly smartly uphill.
  • mainline: Rail the west coast mainline from London to Scotland has an inter-city station in nearby Milton Keynes.
  • road: Initially we drove east, back along the coast road.
  • resort: The Island Line train connects Ryde with the east coast resorts of Sandown and Shanklin and also the famous Steam Railroad south of Ryde.

Noun used with modifier

  • west: The south west coast has a very mild climate due to the warm air of the Gulf Stream.
  • gulf: Trips and one isn't limited to the gulf coast that should have.
  • northeast: The Dogger Bank lies in the North Sea about 100 km ( 60 miles ) off England's northeast coast.
  • north: The north coast is home to the Garifuna people.
  • south: Their aircraft park is located at Bournemouth International Airport on the UK south coast.
coast Quotes

Boston, Boston, Boston! Thou hast naught to boast on, But a Grand Sluice, and a high steeple; c.1500 A proud conceited ignorant people, And a coast where souls are lost on.

—Anonymous

And the three men I admired most, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died.

—McLean, Don

Now hang it! quoth I, as I look'd towards the French coastöa man should know something of his own country too, before he goes abroad.

—Sterne, Laurence

It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk, Though my own red roses there may blow; It is little I repair to the matches of the Southron folk, Though the red roses crest the caps, I know. For the field is full of shades as I near theshadowy coast, And a ghostly batsman plays to the bowling of a ghost, And I look through my tears on a soundless-clapping host As the run-stealers flicker to and fro, To and fro:ö O my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!

—Thompson, Francis

'People can't die, along the coast,'said Mr Peggotty, 'except when the tide's pretty nigh out. They can't be born, unless it's pretty nigh inönot properly born, till flood. He's a going out with the tide.'

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

'Courage!' he said, and pointed toward the land, 'This mounting wave will roll us shoreward soon.' In the afternoon they came unto a land In which it seeme'  d always afternoon. All round the coast the languid air did swoon, Ulysses Breathing like one that hath a weary dream.

—Tennyson

The Europeans have scarcely visited any coast, but to gratify avarice, and extend corruption; to arrogate dominion without right, and practice cruelty without incentive† But there isreason to hope†that the light of the gospel will at last illuminate the sands of Africa, and the deserts of America, though its progress cannot but be slow when it is so much obstructed by the lives of Christians.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Politics is just like show business†a hell of an opening, you coast for a while, you have a hell of a closing.

—Reagan, Ronald Wilson