catenary

noun cat·e·nary \ ˈka-tə-ˌner-ē , -ˌne-rē , especially British kə-ˈtē-nə-rē \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of catenary

plural catenaries

1 : the curve assumed by a cord of uniform density and cross section that is perfectly flexible but not capable of being stretched and that hangs freely from two fixed points

2 : something in the form of a catenary

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catenary

adjective

Recent Examples of catenary from the Web

Their catenaries hug the curves in Sheree Hovsepian’s photograms, layered with stretches of arced pantyhose in what might be called femme modernism.

— lori waxman, chicagotribune.com, "Abstraction, explained," 31 May 2018
The steel catenary riser also takes up less deck space.

— ryan maye handy, Houston Chronicle, "Tech advances during 50 years of OTC," 2 May 2018
From the main entrance near Broad and Noble Streets, the trail switchbacks past urban glades, clusters of benches, reimagined steel catenaries, and a public art sculpture that resembles (much too literally) a telephone pole.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "The first piece of the Reading Viaduct rail park opens in June. Then what?," 19 Apr. 2018
Click on a title like catenary-on-azure, and you’ll be directed to a webpage where a single catenary chain multiplies into dozens and then hundreds, forming a beating circular GIF made from hundreds of individual GIFs.

— liz stinson, WIRED, "Watch: Evan Roth Hacks Wikipedia GIFs, Turning Webpages Into Art Shows," 8 Oct. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catenary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.