- a conjunction placed between words, phrases, clauses, or
sentences of equal rank, e.g. and, but, or. Contrasted with
subordinating conjunction. A conjunction that joins two items of
the same grammatical status. The commonest coordinating
conjunctions are:and but or They can be used to link
words:biscuits or chocolate phrases:sports shops and large
department stores or clauses:I am working part-time, but my
maternity leave begins next month.