Coupling (noun) refers to the act of joining or linking two or more things together, often to form a pair or connection. It can also describe a relationship or pairing in technical, mechanical, or scientific contexts. The term emphasizes the bond or linkage between components rather than their individual parts.
"The coupling of the two pipes prevented leaks and improved system stability."
"In wireless communication, data integrity depends on the proper coupling of signals."
"The mating has led to a strong genetic coupling of traits in the study."
"A mechanical coupling connects the engine to the transmission for power transfer."
Coupling originates from the verb couple, from French couper meaning to join or cut as a unit, through Old North French coupler and earlier Latin copula meaning tie or bond. The sense of ‘joining two things’ emerged in English by the 16th century, often referring to tying or linking components in mechanical or textile contexts. By the 19th and 20th centuries, coupling broadened to describe relationships or pairings in biology (gene–trait associations), physics (coupled oscillators), and engineering (mechanical couplers). The word evolved to general use in science and everyday language to denote any form of linkage or paired arrangement, retaining connotations of unity and synchronization.
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Words that rhyme with "Coupling"
-ing sounds
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Pronounce it as /ˈkoʊ.plɪŋ/ in General American, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable sounds like ‘ko’ in 'cozy' and is stressed; the second syllable is a weak, unstressed '-pling' that starts with a light ‘p’ and includes a short 'i' as in 'kit'. In UK/AU, you’ll hear /ˈkəʊ.pəl.ɪŋ/ or /ˈkəʊ.plɪŋ/, with the second syllable reduced and a schwa-like vowel before the final 'l'.”,
Common errors: 1) Stress on the second syllable (kuh-PLING) instead of first (COUP- ling). 2) Slurring the -pling into a single syllable or mispronouncing the 'p' as a 'b' sound. 3) Using a full ‘l’ before the 'ing' cluster in rapid speech. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, release a crisp /p/ before /lɪŋ/ and maintain a short, unstressed /ɪŋ/. Practice with the sequence /ˈkoʊ.plɪŋ/ to solidify the pattern.”,
US tends toward /ˈkoʊ.plɪŋ/ with a clearer, longer /oʊ/ and a raised /l/ before -ing. UK/AU commonly have /ˈkəʊ.pəl.ɪŋ/ or /ˈkəʊ.plɪŋ/ with a more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a less rhotic pronunciation overall. Vowel length and rhoticity are subtle; US often keeps a stronger diphthong on the first syllable, while UK/AU may show a flatter /əʊ/ in the first syllable and a lighter /l/ sound. Pay attention to linking with surrounding consonants in connected speech.”,
The challenge lies in the two tough consonant clusters: the initial /k/ followed by an /oʊ/ diphthong, and the solid /pl/ sequence before /ɪŋ/. The fast transition from the vowel to the /p/ and then to /l/ requires precise timing; also, the second syllable reduces quickly in natural speech, which can mask the intended /plɪŋ/ sequence. Practice careful articulation of the stop /p/ and the liquid /l/ before the final nasal /ŋ/ to keep the word distinct.”,
Note the strong first-syllable stress and the vowel quality: US buyers will often reduce the second syllable to /plɪŋ/ with a near-schwa in rapid speech, while UK/AU speakers may produce a slightly tighter /ə/ in the second syllable, sounding like /ˈkəʊ.plɪŋ/. The key is keeping /ˈkoʊ/ or /ˈkəʊ/ clear and maintaining the /pl/ cluster crisply before /ɪŋ/.”,
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