coat hanger UK /ˌkəʊ̯t ˈhæ̞ŋə/US /ˌkoʊ̯t ˈhæ̝ŋɚ/ noun1 •A device used to hang up coats, shirts, etc, consisting of a hook with sloping "arms" in the approximate shape of human shoulders. formscoat hangers · coat-hangers