Definition

1. Verb:
   • To join or link two or more things together: To physically attach or fasten objects, or to establish a relationship between abstract concepts.
   • To establish communication or a relationship: To make contact with someone or to form a bond or rapport.
   • To associate mentally: To see or understand a relationship between ideas, events, or pieces of information.
   • To be joined or linked: For things to come together or meet, often in a way that allows continuation.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • Please connect the printer to the computer. (Physically joining objects)
  • The two towns are connected by a new bridge. (Linking places)
  • I finally managed to connect with an old friend online. (Establishing communication)
  • Can you connect these two clues to solve the mystery? (Associating ideas mentally)
  • Does this flight connect with the train to the city? (For services to be linked for travel)

Advanced Usage

• "to connect the dots": To understand the relationship between different pieces of information to see the full picture.

  • After hearing all the evidence, the detective was able to connect the dots.

• "to connect with an audience": To establish a strong emotional or intellectual rapport with a group of listeners or viewers.

  • The speaker's personal stories helped her connect with the audience.

Variants and Related Words

• Connection (n): The act of connecting or the state of being connected; a relationship.

  • There is a strong connection between diet and health.

• Connective (adj): Serving to connect.

  • The surgeon repaired the connective tissue.

• Connector (n): A device or object that links things together.

  • You need a special connector to join those cables.

Synonyms

• Link: To make or suggest a connection.
• Join: To bring or put things together.
• Attach: To fasten or affix one thing to another.
• Associate: To connect in thought or meaning.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Connect up: To join things, especially wires or parts of a system, to make them work.

  • First, connect up all the components before turning on the power.

• Connect with: To meet or contact someone; to form a relationship.

  • He found it hard to connect with his new colleagues.

Related Idioms

• A connecting flight/train: A flight or train that allows you to continue a journey by transferring from one to another.

  • We have a connecting flight in Frankfurt.

• Well-connected: Having influential friends or contacts in society or business.

  • She got the job because she is well-connected in the industry.

Verb

1. hit or play a ball successfully
   • The batter connected for a home run
2. plug into an outlet
   • Please plug in the toaster!
   • Connect the TV so we can watch the football game tonight
3. establish communication with someone
   • did you finally connect with your long-lost cousin?
4. establish a rapport or relationship
   • The President of this university really connects with the faculty
5. be scheduled so as to provide continuing service, as in transportation
   • The local train does not connect with the Amtrak train
   • The planes don't connect and you will have to wait for four hours
6. join for the purpose of communication
   • Operator, could you connect me to the Raffles in Singapore?
7. land on or hit solidly
   • The brick connected on her head, knocking her out
8. join by means of communication equipment
   • The telephone company finally put in lines to connect the towns in this area
9. be or become joined or united or linked
   • The two streets connect to become a highway
   • Our paths joined
   • The travelers linked up again at the airport
10. make a logical or causal connection
    • I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind
    • colligate these facts
    • I cannot relate these events at all
11. connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
    • Can you connect the two loudspeakers?
    • Tie the ropes together
    • Link arms