interlocking

nounC2Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #12,689 of 15,258leans written

Other forms: interlockings

Interlocking is the system stopping signals and points from conflicting. Mechanical interlocking, the interlocking prevents it, a modern interlocking.

It makes an unsafe combination physically impossible rather than merely forbidden, so a signal cannot clear unless the points beneath it are set and locked. Victorian versions did this with iron bars, and computers now do the same job by the same logic.

Definitions of interlocking

1nouninterlockingThe system stopping signals and points from conflicting.C2
“The railway's interlocking stops a signal turning green if the points are set wrong.”

interlocking is a system.

Where it comes from

interlock comes from inter- + lock.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Railways

Practise this word

interlocking in the wild

The technical apparatus used to control switches (points), signals and block systems is called an interlocking.
Signalling control
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings.
Interlocking
An interlocking system is designed so that it is impossible to display a signal to proceed unless the route to be used is proven safe.
Interlocking
The cross-section of the joint resembles the interlocking of fingers between two hands, hence the name "finger joint".
Finger joint
The joint does not have the same interlocking properties as a dovetail joint, but is much simpler to make, and can be mass-produced fairly easily.
Box joint

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

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