Definition

1. Noun:
   • A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with another: A state of being connected or joined.
   • A link or bond between things: A physical or abstract point where two or more things are joined or related.
   • The act of connecting: The process of establishing a link or relationship.
   • A means of transferring from one part of a system to another: Often used in travel to describe a scheduled vehicle that allows a passenger to continue a journey.
   • A person connected with others, especially by family, friendship, or professional ties: Often used in the plural form 'connections' to refer to influential acquaintances.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The police found no connection between the two crimes. (A relationship or link.)
  • Check the internet connection; the Wi-Fi seems slow. (A link for communication.)
  • His flight was delayed, so he missed his connection to Chicago. (A transferring vehicle in travel.)
  • She used her family connections to get an interview at the company. (Influential acquaintances.)
  • The connection of the hose to the faucet was loose. (A physical point of joining.)

Advanced Usage

• "In connection with": Concerning or related to a particular subject.
  • The police wish to speak to him in connection with the investigation.
• "Make the connection": To understand or see the relationship between two things.
  • I didn't make the connection between his absence and the missing money until later.

Variants and Related Words

• Connect (verb): To join or link together.
  • Please connect the printer to the computer.
• Connector (noun): A device or part that joins things together.
  • You need a special connector for these cables.
• Connected (adjective): Joined or linked; having relationships with people.
  • She is well-connected in the art world.
• Disconnection (noun): The state of being disconnected or severed.
  • The disconnection of service was due to non-payment.

Synonyms

• Link: A relationship or connection between things.
• Relationship: The way in which two or more things are connected.
• Tie: A connection or bond.
• Association: A connection or cooperative link between people or organizations.
• Joint: A point at which parts are joined.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Connect up: To join something to a system, especially for electricity or information.
  • Once you connect up all the speakers, the system will work.
• Connect with:
  • To form a relationship with someone.

    • It's important to connect with your colleagues.
  • To make contact with a vehicle or service to continue a journey.

    • This train connects with the ferry at the port.

Related Idioms

• A loose connection: Literally, a faulty electrical link; figuratively, a weak or unclear relationship between ideas or events.
  • The theory was interesting, but the argument had too many loose connections.
• Six degrees of separation: The idea that all people are connected through a chain of no more than six acquaintances. (This concept illustrates the nature of social connections.)
  • The game is based on the theory of six degrees of separation.

Noun

1. the act of bringing two things into contact (especially for communication)
   • the joining of hands around the table
   • there was a connection via the internet
2. shifting from one form of transportation to another
   • the plane was late and he missed his connection in Atlanta
3. a supplier (especially of narcotics)
4. a connecting shape
5. the process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination
   • conditioning is a form of learning by association
6. (usually plural) a person who is influential and to whom you are connected in some way (as by family or friendship)
   • he has powerful connections
7. an instrumentality that connects
   • he soldered the connection
   • he didn't have the right connector between the amplifier and the speakers
8. the state of being connected
   • the connection between church and state is inescapable
9. a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
   • there was a connection between eating that pickle and having that nightmare