coating UK /ˈkəʊtɪŋ/US /ˈkoʊtɪŋ/ noun3 •A thin outer layer.They painted on a coating to protect it from the weather. •(slang) A telling-off; a reprimand.The bogey gave him a right coating. — 1931 •(no longer used) Cloth for making coats. formscoatings