coat

UK: /ˈkəʊt/ US: /koʊt/ ,(kōt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

coat /koʊt/   n. 

[countable]
1. Clothing an outer garment covering at least the upper part of the body:
   He put on his warm winter coat.
2. Biology a natural covering, such as hair, the bark of a tree, or the skin of a fruit:
   an animal's fur coat.
3. a layer of anything that covers a surface:
   a coat of paint.

v. [~ + object]

4. to cover with a layer or coating:
   furniture coated with dust.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

coat  (kōt), n. 

1. Clothing an outer garment with sleeves, covering at least the upper part of the body:
   a new fur coat; a coat for formal wear.
2. Biology a natural integument or covering, as the hair, fur, or wool of an animal, the bark of a tree, or the skin of a fruit.
3. a layer of anything that covers a surface:
   That wall needs another coat of paint.
4. Anatomy, Medicine a mucous layer covering or lining an organ or connected parts, as on the tongue.
5. Heraldry See coat of arms. 
6. [Archaic.] a petticoat or skirt.
7. [Obs.]
   • a garment indicating profession, class, etc.
   • the profession, class, etc., so indicated.

v.t. 

8. to cover with a layer or coating:
   He coated the wall with paint. The furniture was coated with dust.
9. to cover thickly, esp. with a viscous fluid or substance:
   Heat the mixture until it coats a spoon. The boy was coated with mud from head to foot.
10. to cover or provide with a coat.

• Gmc; compare German Kotze, Old Saxon cott woolen coat
• Anglo-French, Old French
• Middle English cote 1250–1300

coat′er, n. 
coat′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 8. spread, smear, encrust.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coat / kəʊt/ noun

1. an outdoor garment with sleeves, covering the body from the shoulder to waist, knee, or foot
2. any similar garment, esp one forming the top to a suit
3. a layer that covers or conceals a surface: a coat of dust
4. the hair, wool, or fur of an animal
5. short for coat of arms

verb

1. (transitive) often followed by with: to cover with a layer or covering
2. (transitive) to provide with a coat

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French cote of Germanic origin; compare Old Saxon kotta, Old High German kozzo