coalition
koh-uh-LISH-un
/ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃn/
A temporary alliance of distinct factions, student groups, or parties formed for combined action.
Implies distinct entities joining together to achieve a shared goal while maintaining separate identities.
The story behind the word. From Late Latin 'coalitio', stemming from 'coalescere' (to grow together), uniting 'co-' (together) and 'alere' (to nourish). It entered English in the 17th century to describe physical elements fusing together.
Word relationships
- alliance: An 'alliance' can be long-term and strategic, whereas a 'coalition' is typically formed for a specific immediate objective.
- bloc: A 'bloc' acts as a single voting unit, whereas a 'coalition' emphasizes the cooperation between diverse groups.
- division: The state of being split or separated into opposing groups.
- factionalism: Internal conflict and disagreement that prevents unity.
Commonly confused with
- collision: A 'collision' is a violent crash, whereas a 'coalition' is a cooperative political partnership.
Word family
- coalesce (verb): To come together to form one mass or whole.
- coalitionist (noun): An advocate for political coalitions.
Collocations
- form a coalition
- coalition government
- broad coalition
- ruling coalition
Idioms & expressions
- build a coalition
Example sentences
- "Several student organizations formed a coalition to demand lower campus dining hall prices." Student activism agreement
- "When no candidate won an outright majority, two rivals created a coalition government." Governance election debrief
Memory hook
COALITION is when cold pieces COALESCE to form a single warm fire together. Growing together into one force.
When not to use
Do not use for a permanent merger where original groups completely lose their identities.
Fun facts
- In parliamentary systems, if no single political party wins over 50% of seats, candidates must negotiate a coalition within days to form a government!
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