coalition

[koh-uh-lish-uh n] /ˌkoʊ əˈlɪʃ ən/
noun
1.
a combination or alliance, especially a temporary one between persons, factions, states, etc.
2.
a union into one body or mass; fusion.
Origin
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; see coalesce
Related forms
coalitional, adjective
coalitioner, noun
Synonyms
1. partnership; league.
Examples from the web for coalition
  • Armed with such logic, a coalition of the hopeful is trying to buck the rude trend, even to reverse it.
  • It will take a global coalition of consensus to bring about clear decisive structured plans for the mitigation of global warming.
  • But the coalition is already collaborating on the legislative effort.
  • The coalition leading the opposition is a mix of ideologies and includes former regime members and expats.
  • It is the first time that different food preferences have been seen within one coalition of social carnivores.
  • Such are perhaps better evaluators than those who believe they personally or in coalition, stand to gain from a decision.
  • Against you is a strong coalition of interests and powers.
  • The outrage led to a new election and the formation of a shaky pro-Western coalition government.
  • But the ramshackle coalition that it leads in government has been racked by internal quarrels from the start, and could collapse.
  • Meddling with it can be dangerous-as the coalition is discovering.
British Dictionary definitions for coalition

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
Derived Forms
coalitional, adjective
coalitionist, coalitioner, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin coalitiō, from Latin coalēscere to coalesce
Word Origin and History for coalition
n.

1610s, "the growing together of parts," from French coalition (1540s), from Late Latin coalitus "fellowship," originally past participle of Latin coalescere (see coalesce). First used in a political sense 1715.

coalition in Culture

coalition definition


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

Note: 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.