expansion joint

American  

noun

1. a joint between two parts of a structure, machine, etc., permitting expansion, as from heat, without structural damage.

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expansion joint British  

noun

1. engineering a gap in steel or concrete to allow for thermal expansion

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Etymology

Origin of expansion joint

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

expansion joint

The works then progresses over the following months to bridge waterproofing, concrete repairs, resurfacing, expansion joint replacements, edge beam strengthening, and barrier upgrades.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025

Two lanes of the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge will be closed for at least “several days” after a routine inspection found crumbling concrete next to an expansion joint.

From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2024

Motorists flooded the island, and were sometimes stuck a few hours Friday night, while all mainline lanes were closed above the island’s western shore for expansion joint replacement.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 29, 2022

The two right southbound lanes near the Albro Place exit are closed after an expansion joint popped up, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2022

With cast iron pipe this cannot be done, and no length of piping over 40 ft. should be without a proper expansion joint.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various