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Definition of coaster

coaster

/ˈkoʊ.stɚ/
coast · er

Plural:coasters
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coaster Lexical Profile

coaster Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small mat, pad, or disk placed under a cup, glass, or bottle to protect a table or surface from moisture and heat.

Example

"She carefully placed her iced tea on a wooden coaster to avoid leaving a water ring on the antique table."


2

An amusement park ride consisting of a light railway track with many tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions; short for roller coaster.

Example

"The new wooden coaster at the theme park reaches speeds of over seventy miles per hour."


3

A ship or vessel that sails continuously along the coast from port to port, typically engaging in domestic maritime trade.

Example

"The old steam coaster transported coal down the eastern seaboard before being retired from service."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for coaster

Word Origin & Etymology

Originally used in the 16th century to denote a ship engaged in coastal trade. In the 1880s, the meaning evolved to describe a small tray (often on wheels) used to 'coast' or slide a decanter of wine around a dinner table, which eventually led to the modern sense of a small mat for resting drinks.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Coaster. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/coaster
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