dynamic braking

noun

, Railroads.

1. a braking system used on electric and diesel-electric locomotives in which the leads of the electric motors can be reversed so that the motors act as generators, offering resistance to the rotating wheel axles and dissipating kinetic energy, thereby retarding the locomotive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynamic braking¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The train was not equipped with ECP brakes; instead its locomotive used dynamic braking — electric traction motors acting as generators, which slow the train and dissipate mechanical energy as heat.

From Washington Post

These include the air suspension; the panoramic sunroof; the acoustic window glass; and a suite of driver-assistance technology, including all-speed adaptive cruise control with dynamic braking and lane-departure warning; rearview camera and parking sensors fore and aft.

From Wall Street Journal

Crash-imminent braking automatically stops a car if sensors detect a possible crash, while dynamic braking adds force to the brakes if the driver isn’t pressing hard enough to avoid a crash.

From Washington Times

Crash-imminent braking automatically stops a car if sensors detect a possible crash, while dynamic braking adds force to the brakes if the driver isn't pressing hard enough to avoid a crash.

From US News