coupling
KUHP-ling
/ˈkʌplɪŋ/
A mechanism or device used to connect railway cars together to form a train.
Refers both to the mechanical connector device and the action of connecting cars.
The story behind the word. Traces back to Latin 'copula' (a tie or bond). In rail history, early link-and-pin couplings were deadly for workers; the invention of the Janney automatic knuckle coupling in 1873 saved thousands of brakemen's lives.
Word relationships
- coupler: Coupler is the specific mechanical part, whereas coupling can refer to the component or the process of joining.
- uncoupling: The act or mechanism of separating coupled rail cars.
Commonly confused with
- consist: Coupling is the single joint connecting cars, while consist is the entire resulting train sequence.
Word family
- couple (verb): To join two things together.
- uncouple (verb): To disconnect or detach.
Collocations
- automatic coupling
- knuckle coupling
- magnetic coupling
- coupling mechanism
Example sentences
- "The yard worker carefully inspected the knuckle coupling to ensure the heavy freight cars were securely attached." Rail Operations
Memory hook
A COUPLE of cars joined into one line. The joint mechanism locking rail cars together.
When not to use
Do not confuse with hitching a light road trailer unless referring to industrial mechanical joints.
Fun facts
- Before automatic knuckle couplings were mandated in 1893, railway brakeman was one of the most hazardous jobs in North America.
Related words
Also appears in
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