a test sample of some substance
"The lab technician asked for a small coupon of the steel beam to analyze its composition before shipping it away."
A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accommodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, a discount, etc.
"She tore off the lower section of her train ticket to use it as a coupon for free entry to the museum exhibit."
In plain English: A coupon is a special ticket or code that lets you get a discount on something you buy.
"She clipped out a coupon to save money on her grocery bill."
Usage: A coupon is a voucher that entitles the holder to a specific benefit, such as a discount on goods or free admission to an event. Use it correctly when referring to this physical or digital proof of eligibility rather than a general ticket for transportation.
To use coupons to a such extent that makes the user actively looking for coupons in magazines, online and whatever they can be found.
"After hitting her grocery budget so hard with sales that she started hunting through every magazine and website just to find more deals, Sarah realized she had become obsessed with couponing."
In plain English: To coupon means to give someone a discount voucher as a gift or reward.
"We decided to coupon for groceries to save money this month."
Usage: As a verb, "to coupon" means to habitually search for and use savings offers on everyday purchases. This usage describes someone who actively monitors sales, cuts out ads, or scans digital deals to maximize discounts.
The word comes from the French coupon, which derives from the verb couper meaning "to cut." It entered English to describe a small piece of paper that could be detached and used as proof of purchase or payment.