1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
coattails plural
: the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
3
coattails plural
: the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (such as a political candidate)
congressmen riding into office on the president's coattails
Examples of coattail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some argue the practice is riding on the coattails of Canada’s historical ties to countries such as the Netherlands, which was liberated by Canadian troops during World War II and where Canadians are particularly appreciated.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Burning anti-establishment anger helped lay the path for his successful 2018 presidential run, with dozens of far-right and conservative lawmakers elected on his coattails.
—Ricardo Brito, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Democrats are counting on coattails from Harris to deliver a win for a slate of countywide candidates running in partisan races this year, including for sheriff, tax collector and election supervisor.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Powerful straight-line winds that strafed Carmichael neighborhoods, toppling trees and sending roof shingles and patio furniture flying, blew in on the coattails of thunderstorms that struck the Sacramento area Tuesday.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coattail
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Burning anti-establishment anger helped lay the path for his successful 2018 presidential run, with dozens of far-right and conservative lawmakers elected on his coattails.
—Ricardo Brito, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Democrats are counting on coattails from Harris to deliver a win for a slate of countywide candidates running in partisan races this year, including for sheriff, tax collector and election supervisor.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Powerful straight-line winds that strafed Carmichael neighborhoods, toppling trees and sending roof shingles and patio furniture flying, blew in on the coattails of thunderstorms that struck the Sacramento area Tuesday.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coattail
Cite this Entry
“Coattail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coattail. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coattail
noun
coat·tail
ˈkōt-ˌtāl 
1
: the rear flap of a man's coat
2
plural
: the influence of a popular movement or person
politicians riding into office on the president's coattails
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share