Coast is the land along the edge of an ocean or sea. When you stand on a beach watching waves crash against the shore, you're standing on the coast. The United States has three major coasts: the Atlantic coast facing Europe and Africa, the Pacific coast facing Asia, and the Gulf coast along the Gulf of Mexico.

Coasts shape how people live. Coastal cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Miami became major centers of trade because ships could easily bring goods from around the world. Even today, most international trade arrives by ship at coastal ports. Coasts also offer unique opportunities: fishing, surfing, tide pool exploring, and watching spectacular sunrises or sunsets over the water.

The word also means to move forward without much effort, like when you're riding your bike downhill and you coast without pedaling. A student might coast through an easy assignment, or a basketball team with a big lead might coast to victory in the final minutes. This kind of coasting can feel effortless and pleasant.