Westinghouse brake

noun

1. a railroad air brake operated by compressed air.

Westinghouse brake

/ ˈwɛstɪŋˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a braking system, invented by Westinghouse in 1872 and adopted by US railways, in which the brakes are held off by compressed air in the operating cylinder: controlled leakage of the air or a disruptive emergency causes the brakes to be applied. The system is used on most heavy vehicles and is replacing the vacuum system on many railways

Word History and Origins

Origin of Westinghouse brake¹

Named after G. Westinghouse, its inventor

Word History and Origins

Origin of Westinghouse brake¹

named after George Westinghouse (1846–1914), US inventor and manufacturer

Example Sentences

The Westinghouse brake has been made to comply thoroughly with the Board of Trade conditions.

From Project Gutenberg