coastline

noun

Definition of coastlinenext
as in coast
the land adjacent to a body of water The state has mainly rocky coastline and few beaches. The plane flew along the eastern coastline.

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of coastline Towering waves generated by intense Pacific storm systems, their heights amplified by El Niño, could erode parts of the fragile coastline and shut down crucial coastal transportation arteries. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 The Waterford City and County Council also emphasized the area’s rugged coastlines and picturesque towns when asked about the billionaire’s castle purchase. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 The body of water forms much of New York State’s coastline and separates Buffalo from Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario. — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Berry and her fiancé Van Hunt stayed at the Zadún Ritz-Carlton Reserve along the coastline of Puerto Los Cabos. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coastline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coastline
  1. coast
  2. beach
  3. shoreline
Noun
  • Lunches can be taken at Da Gioia’s tiny stretch of smooth pebble beach (the rocky Amalfi’s coast version of white sand) at Marina Piccola, with space enough for 42 sun loungers at low tide and a private rentable section for 6-8 more.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hurricane Marie is expected to stay off the California coast, reducing the potential for significant flooding and strong winds, but the storm is poised to deliver dangerous surf conditions and some tropical rain over Labor Day weekend.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of coast
Noun
  • Beach battle lines On a recent afternoon at high tide, beach activist Sara Day points out where the dividing line is.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The resort begins clearing the beach before sunrise each morning, but nature doesn't always cooperate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of beach
Noun
  • The Sheriff’s Office patrols the Chain, with 6,000 acres and 15 lakes that are interconnected navigable waterways, along with the county portion of the Fox River and 26 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Certain roads — such as Highway 37, which connects Marin County to Napa County on the bay shoreline — as well as parts of Highway 101 and coastal Highway 1 are all at risk for flooding.
    — Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shoreline

Browse Nearby Words

coastlands
coastline
coastlines
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coastline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coastline. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on coastline

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coastline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All