Meaning & use
elbow connectors
Last updated
“elbow connectors” is a form of “elbow connector”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraltechnical
Bent pipe or tube fittings that join two straight sections at an angle, usually ninety degrees.
Grammar: Singular is an elbow connector; the plural is common in parts lists.
Patterns
- elbow connectors for something
The plumber fitted two elbow connectors where the pipe turns the corner.
We ordered a dozen copper elbow connectors for the heating system.
Plastic elbow connectors are cheap but may crack in the cold.
nounpluralcomputing
Lines with right-angle bends that link shapes in a diagram or flowchart.
Grammar: In software, you select elbow connectors from a menu of line types.
Patterns
- elbow connectors between shapes
Use elbow connectors to join the boxes in the flowchart.
The diagram looks cleaner with elbow connectors instead of straight lines.
She changed the arrows to elbow connectors so they wouldn't cross.
Word forms
| singular | elbow connector |
|---|
Common combinations
- copper elbow connectors
- Copper elbow connectors suit hot water pipes.
- ninety-degree elbow connectors
- Ninety-degree elbow connectors fit the tight corner.
- use elbow connectors
- Use elbow connectors to link the boxes.
- insert elbow connectors
- Insert elbow connectors between the flowchart steps.
- plastic elbow connectors
- The kit includes plastic elbow connectors.
Synonyms and how they differ
- elbow joints
- Elbow joints is the plumber's more common term and emphasizes the join in a pipe.
- bends
- Bends is a broad word that can also mean a gentle curve in a pipe, not necessarily a fitting.
- corner fittings
- Corner fittings is plain language for the same thing, but it is less precise.
- angle connectors
- Angle connectors can have any angle and might not curve smoothly.
Opposites
Word family
- elbow noun
- a bend, like a joint in the arm
- connector noun
- a part used to join things
- connect verb
- to join things together
- connection noun
- a link or joint
Commonly confused: elbow connectors or elbow joint?
elbow connectors vs elbow joint
Elbow joint can also mean the joint in a human arm, while elbow connector only means a fitting or diagram line.
Practice
The pipe has to turn a corner behind the sink, so the plumber used ___.
Choose one answer.
Elbow connectors turn a pipe through an angle. The other items control flow, seal or measure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “elbow connectors”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.