coalition
Meaning: A temporary alliance of distinct parties, factions, or states for joint action, especially in politics or warfare.
Coalition is most commonly used in British politics to describe a government formed by two or more parties when no single party has an overall majority — the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition of 2010–2015 being the most recent example. It also applies to military alliances (the coalition forces in the Gulf War) and broader groupings of organisations or interest groups. Coalitions are typically pragmatic and temporary. Common collocations include 'coalition government,' 'form a coalition,' 'a broad coalition,' and 'coalition forces.'
Examples
- The 2010 general election resulted in a coalition government between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. 2010年大选的结果是保守党与自由民主党组成了联合政府。Las elecciones generales de 2010 dieron lugar a un gobierno de coalición entre los conservadores y los liberal-demócratas.2010年の総選挙は、保守党と自由民主党による連立政権という結果をもたらした。2010년 총선은 보수당과 자유민주당에 의한 연립 정부라는 결과를 가져왔다.
- A coalition of environmental groups, trade unions, and faith organisations campaigned against the proposed development. 环保团体、工会和宗教组织组成了联盟,反对拟议中的开发项目。Una coalición de grupos ecologistas, sindicatos y organizaciones religiosas hizo campaña contra el proyecto de desarrollo propuesto.環境団体、労働組合、宗教団体からなる連合が、提案されていた開発計画に反対する運動を展開した。환경 단체, 노동조합, 종교 단체로 구성된 연합이 제안된 개발 계획에 반대하는 캠페인을 벌였다.
- The military coalition assembled by the United States included forces from twenty-eight nations. 由美国组建的军事联盟包括来自二十八个国家的部队。La coalición militar reunida por Estados Unidos incluyó fuerzas de veintiocho naciones.アメリカが編成した軍事連合には、28か国の軍が参加した。미국이 편성한 군사 연합에는 28개국의 군대가 참가했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin coalitio (a growing together), from coalescere (to grow together, unite), from co- (together) + alescere (to grow, nourish). The political sense of an alliance of parties or factions developed in the seventeenth century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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