French word

caténaire

Pronunciation

IPA/katenɛʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounoverhead wire

Example

La caténaire est endommagée, le train doit attendre.

The overhead wire is damaged, so the train has to wait.

Illustration for caténaire (overhead wire)

More examples

Un panneau indique le danger de la caténaire sur le quai.

A sign on the platform indicates the danger posed by the overhead wire.

Core concept

A chain-like overhead contact line, suspended between supports to feed electric trains.

Common phrases

  • danger de la caténaire

    danger posed by the overhead wire

Similar words

ligne: A general term for a line or route linking one place to another.
voie: The railway track and its surrounding right of way for train travel.
fil: A general term for a thin, elongated conductor or threadlike object.

Definition in French

Ligne conductrice suspendue au-dessus des voies ferrées qui alimente les trains électriques.

Word origin

French caténaire comes from Latin catena, meaning 'chain', through the name of the catenary curve, whose sag resembles a hanging chain.

Usage tips

  • Caténaire is feminine, so standard usage is la caténaire and une caténaire.

Other meanings

  • catenarynoun

Word lists with this word