coupling

noun

cou·​pling

(usual for sense 2)

ˈkə-pliŋ 

-pə-liŋ

1

: the act of bringing or coming together : pairing

specifically : sexual union

2

: a device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects

3

: the joining of or the part of the body that joins the hindquarters to the forequarters of a quadruped

4

: a means of electric connection of two electric circuits by having a part common to both

Synonyms

• connection
• join
• joining
• joint
• jointure
• junction
• juncture

Examples of coupling in a Sentence

the couplings between railroad cars

a coupling of literature and science

Recent Examples on the Web

These couplings are less about some unattainable fantasy and more about two adults having an intimate moment that tells us something about them — and almost always leaves both parties satisfied. —Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024

Each exercise requires a different coupling that involves staring into a stranger’s eyes, really seeing them and (harder for me) letting yourself be seen, all while focusing on breath. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

With clever gearing, coupling, and sliding motions, the ABENICS gear is extremely precise in its movements. —New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2024

There’s some strange couplings that didn’t quite work, tempo-wise. —Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

coupling

noun

cou·​pling ˈkəp-liŋ ( 

 usual for sense 2  ),

-ə-liŋ

1

: the act of bringing or coming together

2

: something that connects two parts or things

Medical Definition

coupling

noun

cou·​pling ˈkəp-liŋ, -ə-liŋ 

1

: the joint together with its supporting structures between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum that joins the hindquarters of a quadruped to the trunk

broadly : the part of the body or the conformation and proportionate length of the part of the body that joins the hindquarters to the forequarters

2

: the tendency of linked traits to be inherited together in offspring of a double heterozygote when both dominant genes occur on one chromosome and both recessive genes occur on the homologous chromosome compare repulsion

3

: bigeminy