From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcoastcoast1 /kəʊst $ koʊst/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 1 DN[countable] the area where the land meets the sea → coastalcoast of the west coast of Africa We drove along the Pacific coast to Seattle.on the coast I used to live in a small village on the coast (=on the land near the sea).off the coast a small island off the coast (=in the sea near the land) of Scotland the first European to cross Africa coast to coast a deserted stretch of coast2 → the coast is clearCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + coast rockythe rocky coast of Mainerugged (=rough and uneven)There are sandy beaches in the west and a rugged coast in the east.the east/west/north/south coastWe stayed on the south coast of the island.the Atlantic/Pacific/Mediterranean etc coastthe Mediterranean coast of Spaincoast + NOUNa coast roadIn summer the coast road is very crowded.a coast pathThere were wonderful sea views from the coast path.the coast route (=the way that follows the coast)I’d prefer to take the coast route.verbsfollow the coast (=stay close to the coast)The path follows the coast.hug the coast (=follow it very closely)A small railway hugs the coast.phrasesa stretch of coast (=a long area of coast)The 13th century chapel lies on a spectacular stretch of coast. THESAURUScoast noun [countable] the part of a country that is close to the seaThe hurricane struck Florida’s coast.St Andrew’s is on the east coast of Scotland.shore noun [countable, uncountable] the land along the edge of the sea or along the edge of a lakeThe children managed to swim to shore but their father was swept out to sea.Vevey is a pretty town on the shores of Lake Geneva.the seashore the land along the edge of the sea, especially where there is sand and rocksWaves were crashing onto the seashore.coastline noun [countable] the edge of the land next to the sea – used especially about a long length of land or the shape it makes, for example as seen from the airThe road follows the rugged coastline of northern France for nearly 100 miles.Environmentalists are concerned about possible damage to some of the most beautiful stretches of Welsh coastline.seaboard noun [countable] the part of a country that is close to the sea. Used mainly about very large countries such as the US or Australia: western/eastern etc seaboardAustralia’s eastern seaboard | Atlantic/Pacific etc seaboardthe Atlantic seaboard of the USthe seaside British English a place at the edge of the sea where people go for a holidayThe children love going to the seaside.by the sea British English, by the ocean American English on land next to the seaWe bought a small cottage by the sea.He always walks by the ocean in the early morning.
Examples from the Corpuscoast• By 1914, they had set up a system of relaying messages from coast to coast.• At this rate, she will never make the north coast by nightfall.• Next is the coast from La Spezia to Pisa.• The tallest Western species is the coast redwood, which I described in an earlier chapter.• Only 10 percent of the coast was said to be in excellent condition.• A power station, which can operate on coal or oil, is being built on the coast near Hadera.on the coast• Some wanted campsites on the coast, but were given spaces inland instead.• The idol had the shape of a large rock stretched out at Falat on the coast in the vicinity of Jidda.• The government has argued that commercial fishing on the coast has declined dramatically.• Waxholme is on the coast and suffers badly from coastal erosion.• Yeah, it was kind of a freakish accident over on the coast when they were over there.• Being right on the coast, there are special considerations.• I enjoy bicycling along the Three Capes Route on the coast of Oregon.• South, on the coast, are two interesting cathedrals at Amalfi and Salerno.coastcoast2 verb [intransitive] 1 [usually + adverb/preposition]DRIVE if a car or bicycle coasts, it moves without any effort from you or any power from the enginecoast down/around/along etc Bev coasted downhill on her bicycle.2 EASYto not try very hard to do something well – used to show disapproval Janey’s teacher says she’s just coasting at school.3 to be successful at something without much effort They scored three goals in the first half and from then on United were coasting.coast to/through The Ugandan relay team are coasting to victory.4 TTWto sail along the coast while staying close to land→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpuscoast• She used to be an honor student, but now she's just coasting.• But this is hardly a place for coasting.• The shares were coasting along at above 400p and looking like going better after a string of tipsters recommendations.• Laura was a bright kid and she could coast along at school without too much effort.• I had to coast along until I stopped.• So there's no scope to coast at all and not pick the strongest team.• By now we were close to my farm, coasting down off the ridge, the headlights turning the gravel road white.• You begin by coasting down the log flume, which makes you laugh.• If you feel that you've been coasting in your job, perhaps it's time for a change.• In 1994 he coasted to re-election.coast down/around/along etc• The shares were coasting along at above 400p and looking like going better after a string of tipsters recommendations.• They rise up out of nowhere, coast along in the rearview mirror.• The end result is that both start coasting along in the same direction in which the box was originally moving.• By now we were close to my farm, coasting down off the ridge, the headlights turning the gravel road white.• Not long ago, this team coasted along on the road to resurrection.• You begin by coasting down the log flume, which makes you laugh.• The giant palms lining the road inspected me disinterestedly as I coasted along trying to find the Alcade Apartments.coast to/through• The Cowboys promptly made their strongest statement of the season, coasting to a 29-10 victory over Miami.• The bow dropped and the boat gurgled in idle and coasted to a stop at a nameless address.• Gloucester seemed to be coasting to an easy 2 points.• Moving a carrier from one coast to another is no simple task, Roulstone said.• They are between the hills and the Forth and are sparing nothing in Lothian, from the east coast to Dunedin.• Elsewhere in Contra Costa County, incumbents coasted to re-election in most municipal races.• Wilson coasted to victory in the election.• Then they soared into the sky as one, to make flight north as a pair along the coast to Wrath.Origin coast1 (1300-1400) Old French coste, from Latin costa “rib, side”