catenary

noun

cat·​e·​nary ˈka-tə-ˌner-ē 

-ˌne-rē,

 especially British  kə-ˈtē-nə-rē

plural catenaries

1

: the curve assumed by a cord of uniform density and cross section that is perfectly flexible but not capable of being stretched and that hangs freely from two fixed points

2

: something in the form of a catenary

catenary adjective

Examples of catenary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But an overhead catenary costs that much for a quarter mile [0.4 kilometer] of the track. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2024

Those same trains could likely reach 150 miles an hour for most of the run to Washington, which is straighter, with a new catenary. —Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 9 July 2024

Failures of the overhead catenary wires — the power lines that function much like the third rail on a subway — have been a regular occurrence on the rail line in recent months. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Dec. 2024

Second, the drooping power lines increase the risk that the wires get tangled up in the pantographs, the linkages atop of the trains that slide along the catenary and draw power from it. —Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 9 July 2024

Third, the old catenary limits the speed of trains, even at middling temperatures. —Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 9 July 2024

While much of the initial track-laying work will take place along the riverfront, crews will eventually need to close down the curving Berkley Parkway bridge twice in order to install tracks and overhead catenary wires along it. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024

How much of the track and overhead catenary wires will run on the surface, competing for space on thoroughfares with vehicle traffic, and how much will go underground? —Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024

Fire crews were delayed briefly while it was ensured all rail traffic was halted and power to the overhead catenary lines was deactivated, fire officials said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin catenaria, from Latin, feminine of catenarius of a chain, from catena

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catenary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• cautionary
• cemetery