Coexist Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms coexist American [koh-ig-zist] / ˌkoʊ ɪgˈzɪst /

verb (used without object)

1. to exist together or at the same time.

2. to exist separately or independently but peaceably, often while remaining rivals or adversaries.

   Although their ideologies differ greatly, the two great powers must coexist.

coexist British / ˌkəʊɪɡˈzɪst /

verb

1. to exist together at the same time or in the same place

2. to exist together in peace

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• coexistence noun
• coexistent adjective

Etymology

Origin of coexist

First recorded in 1670–80; co- + exist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

China is frequently cited as evidence that economic sovereignty and openness can coexist.

From Barron's

"I pray and hope that peace will prevail... that people of all faiths will coexist forever," Biswas, 92, said outside her ancestral home in Abhaynagar, where three generations of her family were born.

From Barron's

"There is a general taboo in the media… sensible discussions about how to coexist with China can get easily branded as appeasement," he says.

From BBC

Recognizing the need for solidarity, Rypinski created Everybody Gym, a space where queer people and their allies could coexist.

From Los Angeles Times

“And we just watch to understand so that we can help take care of it and coexist.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.