coupling
/ˈkʌplɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌplɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkə-pliŋ (usual for sense 2) -pə-liŋ/ (ame, mw)
coupling — noun
- couplingsingular
- couplingsplural
1. a part used to fasten two sections of equipment, pipes, or vehicles so they stay
a part used to fasten two sections of equipment, pipes, or vehicles so they stay connected and can move or work together.
The mechanic replaced the broken coupling between the train cars before dawn.
coupling between two vehicles or machine parts
Water dripped from the loose coupling under the kitchen sink.
Engineers tested a stronger coupling for the farm machine's rotating shaft.
The trailer came free when its coupling pin snapped on the highway.
文法句型
a coupling between A and B
replace / tighten / fit a coupling
用法筆記
Usually refers to a physical connector in rail, plumbing, automotive, or machine contexts. Distinct from sense 2 because this sense names the actual part, not the process or relationship of joining.
2. the process or result of linking two systems, ideas, or activities so that they
the process or result of linking two systems, ideas, or activities so that they work together or strongly affect each other.
The coupling of the two software systems cut office work in half.
the coupling of A and B
Researchers studied the coupling between brain signals and hand movement.
coupling between two related processes
The city's new bus pass depends on the coupling of bus and rail tickets.
Closer coupling with local farms helped the restaurant buy fresher food.
- connection
broader and more neutral; coupling often suggests a tighter or designed link.
- linkage
often used in policy or organizational writing for connected parts.
- integration
stresses combining into one working whole, often more fully than coupling.
- separation
keeps two systems or activities apart.
- decoupling
specifically means reducing or removing the link between parts.
文法句型
the coupling of A and B
coupling between A and B
close coupling with A
用法筆記
Often used in technical, business, or policy writing for a close link between parts of a larger system. Distinct from sense 1 because no physical part is implied; the focus is on the connection itself or on how tightly two things interact.
3. sexual contact or breeding union, especially when animals are brought together t
sexual contact or breeding union, especially when animals are brought together to produce young, mainly in biological or other formal writing.
The vet recorded the horses' coupling dates in the breeding log.
formal breeding record use
Successful coupling usually happens soon after the female moth leaves the cocoon.
The scientist noted a short period of coupling before the birds returned to the reeds.
The report says successful coupling is rare in captivity.
- mating
the more usual word for animals in everyday and educational writing.
- copulation
more clinical and strongly tied to biological description.
- sexual union
formal phrase often used in medical or legal discussion.
文法句型
successful coupling
a period of coupling
coupling in captivity
用法筆記
Mostly seen in biology, veterinary work, or very formal writing. In everyday English, people usually say have sex for humans and mating for animals instead.