coupling

noun

cou·​pling ˈkə-pliŋ 

(usual for sense 2)

-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 of coupling

• junction
• intersection

Examples of coupling in a Sentence

the couplings between railroad cars

a coupling of literature and science

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus plenty of love couplings between the characters of Kala and Wolfgang, Nomi and Amanita, and Lito and Hernando! —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026

Thornton and Angelina Jolie were married for three years, from May 2000 to 2003, and their coupling sparked a media frenzy at the time. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026

Much of the equipment brought in from other places did not fit the fire hydrant and hose couplings that Baltimore used. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026

Ahead, a complete breakdown of all the couplings based on Julia Quinn's best-selling book series of the same name (to which the show has remained relatively true). —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coupling

• decoupling
• uncoupling

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