Definitions for coupleˈkʌp əl

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

cou•ple^*ˈkʌp əl(n.; v.)-pled, -pling.

(n.)a combination of two of a kind; pair.
a grouping of two persons, as a married or engaged pair, lovers, or dance partners.
any two persons considered together.
a small number; few:
We met a couple of times.
a pair of equal, parallel forces acting in opposite directions and tending to produce rotation.
Category: Mechanics
something that joins two things together.
(v.t.)to fasten or associate together in a pair or pairs.
to join; connect.
to unite in marriage or in sexual union.
to join or associate by means of a coupler. to bring (two electric circuits or circuit components) close enough to permit an exchange of electromagnetic energy.
Category: Electricity and Magnetism
(v.i.)to join in a pair; unite.
to copulate.

^* Usage: The phrase a couple of has been standard for centuries, esp. in referring to distance, money, or time (Stay for a couple of days) and is used in all but the most formal speech and writing. The shortened a couple , without of (The gas station is a couple miles from here), is an Americanism of recent development that occurs chiefly in informal speech. Without a following noun, the phrase is highly informal: Jack shouldn't drive. He's had a couple. (Here the noun drinks is omitted.) See also collective noun.

Origin of couple:

1175–1225; ME < AF c(o)uple, OF cople, cuple < L cōpula a tie, bond (see copula )

cou′ple•a•ble(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

couple, twosome, duo, duet(noun)
a pair who associate with one another
"the engaged couple"; "an inseparable twosome"
couple, mates, match(noun)
a pair of people who live together
"a married couple from Chicago"
couple(noun)
a small indefinite number
"he's coming for a couple of days"
couple, pair, twosome, twain, brace, span, yoke, couplet, distich, duo, duet, dyad, duad(noun)
two items of the same kind
couple(verb)
(physics) something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
match, mate, couple, pair, twin(verb)
bring two objects, ideas, or people together
"This fact is coupled to the other one"; "Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?"; "The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project"
couple, couple on, couple up(verb)
link together
"can we couple these proposals?"
pair, pair off, partner off, couple(verb)
form a pair or pairs
"The two old friends paired off"
copulate, mate, pair, couple(verb)
engage in sexual intercourse
"Birds mate in the Spring"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

couple(noun)ˈkʌp əl
two of a particular type
I took a couple of peaches.; "How many times have you tried this?" "A couple."
coupleˈkʌp əl
a few
I had a couple of things to do in town.
coupleˈkʌp əl
two people having a romantic relationship
couples holding hands

Wiktionary

couple(Noun)
Two partners in a romantic or sexual relationship.
couple(Noun)
Two of the same kind connected or considered together (see Usage notes).
couple(Noun)
A small number of. See usage notes.
couple(Noun)
One of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery, called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple.
couple(Noun)
Two forces that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction (and acting along parallel lines), thus creating the turning effect of a torque or moment.
couple(Verb)
To join (two things) together, or (one thing) to (another).
couple(Verb)
To join in wedlock; to marry.
couple(Verb)
To join in sexual intercourse; to copulate.

Origin: From cople, from copula

Webster Dictionary

Couple(adj)
that which joins or links two things together; a bond or tie; a coupler
Couple(adj)
two of the same kind connected or considered together; a pair; a brace
Couple(adj)
a male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed
Couple(adj)
see Couple-close
Couple(adj)
one of the pairs of plates of two metals which compose a voltaic battery; -- called a voltaic couple or galvanic couple
Couple(adj)
two rotations, movements, etc., which are equal in amount but opposite in direction, and acting along parallel lines or around parallel axes
Couple(u)
to link or tie, as one thing to another; to connect or fasten together; to join
Couple(u)
to join in wedlock; to marry
Couple(verb)
to come together as male and female; to copulate

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

Couple
Two forces applied to different points of a straight line, when opposed in direction or unequal in amount, tend to cause rotation about a point intermediate between their points of application and lying on the straight line. Such a pair constitute a couple.