walking beam

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. an overhead oscillating lever, pivoted at the middle, for transmitting force from a vertical connecting rod below one end to a vertical connecting rod, pump rod, etc., below the other end.

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Etymology

Origin of walking beam

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Near Manhattan's 37th St., in the "Old Tenderloin," he studied under Ablaba, a honkytonk pianist with a "left hand like a walking beam."

From Time Magazine Archive

Being a staunchily built wooden boat with double "walking beam" engines, working independently, one on each wheel, she always got herself off with little trouble or damage.

From A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River by Cumberland, Barlow

The walking beam moves slowly up and down, and the Clermont floats out into the river.

From Pushing to the Front by Marden, Orison Swett

His bar oscillated like the walking beam of a steamboat.

From The Age of Invention : a chronicle of mechanical conquest by Thompson, Holland

It is the walking beam of his locomotion; controls his paddles and is developed in proportion to its uses.

From The Under Dog by Smith, Francis Hopkinson