Phrase guide

Bowden cable

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force by the movement of an inner cable (most commonly of steel) relative to a hollow outer housing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Uncertain; its invention is popularly attributed to Sir Frank Bowden, but also associated with Ernest Monnington Bowden.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: boudenkablo — cable used to transmit force by the movement of an inner cable
  • French: câble Bowden — cable used to transmit force by the movement of an inner cable
  • German: Bowdenzug — cable used to transmit force by the movement of an inner cable
  • Italian: cavo Bowden — cable used to transmit force by the movement of an inner cable
  • Italian: guaina — cable used to transmit force by the movement of an inner cable