link

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: a connecting structure: such as
a(1)
: a single ring or division of a chain
(2)
: one of the standardized divisions of a surveyor's chain that is 7.92 inches (20.1 centimeters) long and serves as a measure of length
b
d
: an intermediate rod or piece for transmitting force or motion
especially : a short connecting rod with a hole or pin at each end
e
: the fusible member of an electrical fuse
2
: something analogous to a link of chain: such as
a
: a segment of sausage in a chain
b
: a connecting element or factor
found a link between smoking and cancer
c
: a unit in a communication system
d
: an identifier attached to an element in a system (such as an index term in a database) in order to indicate or permit connection with other similarly identified elements
especially : one (such as a hyperlink) in a computer file

link

2 of 4

verb (1)

linked; linking; links

transitive verb

: to couple or connect by or as if by a link

intransitive verb

: to become connected by or as if by a link
often used with up
the band linked up with a new record label
linker noun

link

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a torch formerly used to light a person's way through the streets

link

4 of 4

verb (2)

linked; linking; links

intransitive verb

Scotland
: to skip smartly along
Choose the Right Synonym for link

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

Examples of link in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Actor Kevin Bacon himself even shared a link on Threads to spread awareness of the search. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 To find the full list of previous Powerball winners, click the link to the lottery's website. USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 The link was made between Hare's murder and the missing first responder when New Mexico State Police called South Carolina's Marion County Sheriff's Office on Friday to inform them that Machado-Fore's car was involved in the murder of one of their officers. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2024 Only in 2022 did the fire service acknowledge an explicit link between cancer and wildland firefighters, even though officials have long expressed concern about the connection. ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024 Studies are mixed, but some show a strong link between higher choline intakes and fewer NTDs; other studies are less conclusive.1314 Supporting a healthy placenta. Casey Seiden, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Now, with the settlement effectively severing the link between agent compensation and MLS access, many agents are likely to rethink their membership in the association. Debra Kamin, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Check out the links below for more on unique or important laws to know. The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 The great detective is a bit of a calculating machine; Watson's his link to our species. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Further investigation linked Syed to the death of Mohammad Ahmadi, 62, who was killed on Nov. 7, 2021. USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 The drop in the price is linked to the sharp decline in the price of Bitcoin. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 According to People, the pair have been linked together since June 2021. Rebekah Riess, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 This season introduces new rules to the competition: Immunity from elimination is no longer linked as a Quickfire prize but granted to the winner of the main challenge. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 For urban folklorists and analysts (such as Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Raoul Walsh) and for autobiographical portraitists and historians of style (such as Terence Davies and Sofia Coppola), the lives of others are naturally linked to first-person observations and modes of expression. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 British folklore also links April Fool's Day to the 13th century. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced a United States ban on the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos -- a carcinogen that the agency estimates is linked to more than 40,000 U.S. deaths each year. Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 After first being linked with actress Zoë Kravitz, the only child of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, back in 2021, Tatum finally popped the question and got engaged to the Batman star in late 2023. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'link.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hlekkr chain; akin to Old English hlanc lank

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Medieval Latin linchinus candle, alteration of Latin lychnus, from Greek lychnos; akin to Greek leukos white — more at light

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1526, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of link was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near link

Cite this Entry

“Link.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/link. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

link

1 of 2 verb
: to join by or as if by a link
linker noun

link

2 of 2 noun
1
: a connecting structure: as
a
: a single ring of a chain
b
d
: an intermediate rod or piece for transmitting force or motion
2
: something resembling a link of chain: as
a
: a piece of sausage in a series of connected pieces
b
: a connecting element or factor
found a link between smoking and cancer
c

More from Merriam-Webster on link

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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