Identify the term for the following: a line that intersects two coplanar lines at two distinct points.

A transversal is a line that intersects two or more coplanar lines at distinct points. This term is commonly used in geometry, particularly in the study of parallel lines. When a transversal crosses parallel lines, it creates several angles, including corresponding and alternate interior angles, and this relationship is crucial for understanding properties of angles and lines in various geometrical contexts.

The other terms do not fit the definition provided in the question. A tangent refers to a line that touches a curve at exactly one point without crossing it, which is not the scenario described. A trapezoid is a type of quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides, irrelevant to the concept of intersection with coplanar lines. A triangle is a three-sided polygon, which again does not relate to the characteristics of intersecting lines.