catenary
noun
cat·e·nary
ˈka-tə-ˌner-ē 
-ˌne-rē
especially British kə-ˈtē-nə-rē
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
catenary
adjective
Examples of catenary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The agency is planning to deploy ice scrapers or cutters along the light rail wires to prevent overhead catenaries, the network of wires that provide electric power to trains, from icing and losing power.
—
Suryatapa Chakraborty,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
The new locomotive draws electricity from overhead catenary wires and transfers to battery power when needed, according to an online release.
—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
Failures of the overhead catenary wires — the power lines that function much like the third rail on a subway — have been a regular occurrence on the rail line in recent months.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
2 Dec. 2024
Those same trains could likely reach 150 miles an hour for most of the run to Washington, which is straighter, with a new catenary.
—
Nolan Hicks,
Curbed,
9 July 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Suryatapa Chakraborty,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
The new locomotive draws electricity from overhead catenary wires and transfers to battery power when needed, according to an online release.
—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
Failures of the overhead catenary wires — the power lines that function much like the third rail on a subway — have been a regular occurrence on the rail line in recent months.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
2 Dec. 2024
Those same trains could likely reach 150 miles an hour for most of the run to Washington, which is straighter, with a new catenary.
—
Nolan Hicks,
Curbed,
9 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Catenary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catenary. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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