coach

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkōch 

often attributive

1

a

: a large usually closed four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat in front for the driver

On special occasions the queen rides in a gold coach.

b

: a railroad passenger car intended primarily for day travel

Smoking is not permitted in the train's coaches.

c

: bus sense 1a

toured the city by coach

d

: trailer sense 1b

e

: a 2-door enclosed automobile

f

: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class

We reserved two seats in coach.

2

[from the concept that the tutor conveys the student through examinations]

a

: a private tutor

hired a coach to help her daughter prepare for the test

b

: one who instructs or trains

an acting coach

a birth coach

especially : one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a sport and directs team strategy

a football coach

a pitching coach

a gymnastics coach

Illustration of coach

• coach 1a

coach

2 of 3

verb

coached; coaching; coaches

intransitive verb

1

: to go in a coach

2

: to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach

When an injury ended his playing career, he decided to coach.

transitive verb

1

: to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration)

coach pupils

The lawyer coached the witness.

2

: to act as coach of

coach tennis

coach a team

coachable

ˈkō-chə-bəl 

adjective

coacher noun

coacher

3 of 3

noun (2)

coach·​er

ˈkōchə(r)

plural -s

1

obsolete : coachman

2

: coach horse

3

: one that coaches

specifically : coach sense 3d

Synonyms of coach

Noun (1)

• trainer
• manager

Verb

• guide
• mentor

Examples of coach in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a track star who has been working with a new coach

In those days, people usually traveled long distances in coaches.

Verb

He coaches the tennis star.

He has coached the team for several years.

She coached the U.S. gymnastics team at the Olympics.

He has coached at the college level for many years.

The lawyer admitted to coaching the witness.

It was clear that the witness had been coached by her lawyer on how to answer the questions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Senior professionals, an employee group that includes senior administrative analysts, information technology professionals, coaches and student health physicians, has more than doubled in that time. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Just two years later and the Sun Devils now sit at 2-2 with an anemic offense, fresh off a beatdown at the hands of Baylor, a team currently employing a coach who was on a ridiculously hot seat himself just a month earlier. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

While a few of the accusers played for Riverside’s football team, also coached by Lorch, most were involved with the prestigious basketball program, which launched the careers of more than 60 NBA players and hundreds of major college standouts. — Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Assistant coach Tony Stubblefield will coach the Ducks for the 2026-27 season. — Anne M. Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English coche, from Middle French, from German Kutsche, from Hungarian kocsi (szekér), literally, wagon from Kocs, Hungary

Noun (2)

In sense 1, from Middle French cocher, from coche; in sense 2, from coach entry 1 + -er; in sense 3, from coach entry 2 + -er

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1608, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing coach

• coach dog
• hackney coach
• life coach

Rhymes for coach

• broach
• loach
• poach
• roach
• roche
• approach
• cockroach
• encroach
• reproach
• stagecoach

Kids Definition

coach

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōch 

1

a

: a large usually closed four-wheeled carriage that has a raised seat in front for the driver and is drawn by horses

b

: a railroad passenger car without berths

c

: bus entry 1 sense 1

d

: a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class

2

a

: a private tutor

b

: a person who instructs or trains a performer or team

a football coach

coach

2 of 2 verb

: to act as a coach