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

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

Gregory and Janine finally sit down with Warren and Ava to spill the details of their coupling. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

The scientists were surprised to observe that the coupling insects rotated to follow the sun, staying parallel to its rays much like sunflowers soaking up solar rays. —Gennaro Tomma, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2024

But acknowledging the affair is one thing, but intimately chronicling their coupling is another. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 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