4 syllables: Co, a, li, tion. Stress on li.
koh-uh-LISH-uhn
/ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃən/
Coalition is pronounced koh-uh-LISH-uhn (/ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Co-a-li-tion), with the stress on "li". Coalition is a noun referring to an alliance or union formed for a specific political or strategic purpose. It typically involves multiple groups agreeing to work together toward a common objective, often temporary and issue-focused. The term emphasizes cooperative action rather than permanent unity, and is commonly used in political science and public policy discussions.
nounCoalition is a noun referring to an alliance or union formed for a specific political or strategic purpose. It typically involves multiple groups agreeing to work together toward a common objective, often temporary and issue-focused. The term emphasizes cooperative action rather than permanent unity, and is commonly used in political science and public policy discussions.
"The coalition government collapsed after the party factions disagreed on key policies."
"A broad international coalition was formed to address the threat of the cyber attacks."
"The environmental coalition includes NGOs, academics, and local communities."
Pronounce as ko-ə-LI-tion with the primary stress on the second syllable: /koʊəˈlɪʃən/ in US, /kəʊˈlɪs.jən/ in UK. Start with the /koʊə/ or /kəʊə/ sequence, then the stressed /ˈlɪ/ followed by /ʃən/. Mouth positions: lips rounded for the initial /oʊə/ sequence, tongue high for /ɪ/ before /ʃ/, and a soft, quick /ən/ at the end. Listening reference: you’ll hear a crisp stress peak before the /lɪ/. Audio resources: try Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries for exact pronunciation audio.
Two common errors: first, misplacing stress on the first or last syllable (co-AL-i-tion is correct). Second, confusing the /lɪ/ with /lɪt/ or shortening the /ˈlɪʃ/ cluster. Correction: emphasize the /ˈlɪ/ syllable with a clear vowel and a following /ʃ/ before the final /ən/. Practice the sequence /koʊəˈlɪʃən/ slowly, then speed up, ensuring the /ə/ between /koʊ/ and /ˈlɪ/ remains light and unstressed.
US tends to use /koʊəˈlɪʃən/ with a clear /oʊə/ onset and rhotic /r/ absence in pronunciation. UK often uses /kəˈlɪs.jən/ or /kəʊˈlɪsɪən/, reducing the second syllable; consonant clusters may sound more fluid, and the /t/ or /j/ sound can join. Australian tends toward /kəˈləʊʃən/ or /kəʊˈlɪʃən/ with a rounded vowel in the initial diphthong and a more centralized second syllable; rhoticity is non-rhotic. Listen to native samples for subtle vowel quality differences.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed first syllable and the 'li-tion' cluster: the transition from a diphthong in /koʊə/ to the stressed /ˈlɪʃən/ requires precise tongue movement, especially the /l/ and /ʃ/ sequence. Learners often misplace stress, blend /lɪ/ with /lə/ or devoice /t/ into /d/. Focus on the mid stressed /ˈlɪ/ and keep the /ʃ/ crisp before the final /ən/.
Coalition’s unique traits include the three-syllable pattern with stable primary stress on the second syllable and a final -tion that yields /ʃən/ or /sən/ depending on accent. The sequence /koʊə/ or /kəʊə/ followed by /ˈlɪʃən/ creates a distinct rhythm. It also features a nonreduced second vowel in some accents, and the /t/ can influence the following /j/ or /ən/ sound. Understanding these subtleties helps you land natural, accurate pronunciation.
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Coalition derives from the French coalition and Latin coalitio, from co- “together” + ligare “to bind.” The Latin ligare gives rise to English ligature and obligation. The form coalitio first appears in Late Latin to denote a binding together or collective alliance, especially in political contexts. In Old French, coalitio evolved into coalition, carrying the sense of a union of parties for a common purpose. By the 16th–17th centuries, English adoption reflected a formal political term describing alliances, typically among factions or states. The word retained its core meaning through the modern era: a strategic, often temporary, convergence of interests among multiple actors. First known uses in English appear in the 15th–16th centuries in political discourse, with later expansion into broader organizational and international contexts. The concept remains central to political science, international relations, and policy coalitions, denoting collaborative action across diverse groups.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Coalition" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Coalition"
-ion sounds
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