coastal

/ˈkoʊstəl/

/ˈkʌʊstəl/

Coastal things are near the ocean. If you like spending time at the beach, you might take a trip to a sunny, coastal vacation spot. Be sure to pack your swimsuit!

You might read phrases like "coastal waters" or "coastal erosion" in an environmental science textbook. The coast is the land that borders an ocean or sea, and the adjective coastal describes things that affect the coast or are located there. Before it meant "edge of the land," coast referred to a body part—specifically, the rib or "flank."

Definitions of coastal

1. adjective

   of or relating to a coast
   “coastal erosion”
2. adjective

   located on or near or bordering on a coast
   “coastal marshes”

   “coastal waters”

   “the Atlantic coastal plain”

   synonyms:

   coastwise

   along or following a coast

   inshore

   close to a shore

   maritime

   bordering on or living or characteristic of those near the sea

   seaward

   directed or situated away from inland regions and toward the sea or coast

   antonyms:

   inland

   situated away from an area's coast or border

   interior, midland, upcountry

   of or coming from the middle of a region or country

   landlocked

   surrounded entirely or almost entirely by land