coaster

American  

[koh-ster] / ˈkoʊ stər /

noun

1. a person or thing that coasts.

2. a small dish, tray, or mat, especially for placing under a glass to protect a table from moisture.

3. a ship engaged in coastwise trade.

4. a sled for coasting.

5. a tray for holding a decanter to be passed around a dining table.

6. roller coaster.

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coaster ¹ British  

/ ˈkəʊstə /

noun

1. a vessel or trader engaged in coastal commerce

2. a small tray, sometimes on wheels, for holding a decanter, wine bottle, etc

3. a person or thing that coasts

4. a protective disc or mat for glasses or bottles

5. short for roller coaster

6. a European resident on the coast

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Coaster ² British  

/ ˈkəʊstə /

noun

1. a person from the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

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Etymology

Origin of coaster

First recorded in 1565–75; coast + -er ¹

Example Sentences

I’m not saying we’re actively rooting for McIlroy to blow it, but it’s always spicy when the roller coaster creaks and the leaderboard gets shifty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The New York Post's Lauren Sarner called the new season "an unhinged disaster" and "an off-the-rails roller coaster of insanity".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Opened on Dec. 31 as part of the Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park, the roller coaster ranks as the world’s fastest, tallest and longest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

"My life is a broken roller coaster, but maybe I'm the only one to blame," they sing on the melancholy Merry Go Round.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

She lowered the board and saw that below her was a track with metal rails and wooden crossbars—like the roller coaster, but much bigger.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• plate