coupling

American  

[kuhp-ling] / ˈkʌp lɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that couples.

2. Machinery.

   1. a device for joining two rotating shafts semipermanently at their ends so as to transmit torque from one to the other.

   2. a part with an inside thread for connecting two pipes of the same diameter.

   3. a fitting at the end of a length of hose into which the end of another such length can be screwed or fitted.

3. Railroads. coupler.

4. Electricity.

   1. the association of two circuits or systems in such a way that power may be transferred from one to the other.

   2. a device or expedient to ensure this.

5. a short length of plumbing pipe having each end threaded on the inside.

6. the part of the body between the tops of the shoulder blades and the tops of the hip joints in a dog, horse, etc.

7. linkage.

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coupling British  

/ ˈkʌplɪŋ /

noun

1. a mechanical device that connects two things

2. a device for connecting railway cars or trucks together

3. the part of the body of a horse, dog, or other quadruped that lies between the forequarters and the hindquarters

4. electronics the act or process of linking two or more circuits so that power can be transferred between them usually by mutual induction, as in a transformer, or by means of a capacitor or inductor common to both circuits See also direct coupling

5. physics an interaction between different properties of a system, such as a group of atoms or nuclei, or between two or more systems

6. genetics the occurrence of two specified nonallelic genes from the same parent on the same chromosome

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Etymology

Origin of coupling

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; couple, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Other faults have since been found with a coupling and a bow thruster, and it is likely to be out of action until early next week.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Nicole Reber, an L.A.-based real estate agent, was giving “’90s sparkle princess,” coupling a pair of Chanel loafers with a vintage Escada jacket that’s “highly underrated.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

This coupling of intimacy and technology makes us vulnerable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

A merger between SpaceX and xAI wouldn’t be the first coupling between companies that Musk leads.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

I was holding to the hand-rods and crouching low, my feet on the coupling.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

Related Words

• intercourse
• pairing