# coast

/ˈkoʊst/ (US) · /kˈəʊst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coast
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the shore

noun · CEFR A2

the land next to or near the sea.

For teachers: the part of the land adjoining or near the ocean.

- We took a long walk along the coast to watch the waves.
- The rugged coast of Maine is famous for its granite cliffs and historic lighthouses that have guided sailors for centuries.

### 2. to glide without power

verb · CEFR B2

to move along easily without using any power or effort.

For teachers: to move by momentum or gravity without the use of an engine or active propulsion.

- The cyclist stopped pedalling and let the bike coast down the hill.
- After the engine failed, the pilot managed to coast the glider toward a flat field for an emergency landing.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and describes movement resulting from previous force.

### 3. to make minimal effort

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to do something with very little effort because it is easy for you.

For teachers: to proceed through a task or period of time with minimal effort, often relying on past successes.

- He is so smart that he can coast through his exams without studying.
- Having secured a comfortable lead in the first half, the team appeared to coast through the remainder of the match.

### 4. to sled downhill

verb · CEFR B2 · American English · Dialect

to slide down a snowy hill on a sled.

For teachers: to slide down a slope on a sled or toboggan.

- The children spent the whole afternoon coasting down the snowy hill behind the house.
- Local families gathered at the park's steepest ridge to go coasting after the first heavy snowfall of the season.

## Examples

- We spent our summer holiday on the coast.
- The rugged coast of Maine is famous for its rocky cliffs and historic lighthouses.
- Environmental scientists are monitoring how rising sea levels affect the delicate ecosystems along the southern coast, where salt marshes provide a vital buffer against storm surges.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.