connection

noun

con·​nec·​tion kə-ˈnek-shən 

1

: the act of connecting : the state of being connected: such as

a

: causal or logical relation or sequence

the connection between two ideas

b(1)

: contextual relation or association

In this connection the word has a different meaning.

(2)

: relationship in fact

wanted in connection with a robbery

c

: a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)

Family connections can make getting a job much easier.

d

: coherence, continuity

… a confused multitude without order or connection.

—John Locke

2

a

: something that connects : link

a loose connection in the wiring

b

: a means of communication or transport

a telephone connection

3

: a person connected with another especially by marriage, kinship, or common interest

has powerful connections

4

: a political, social, professional, or commercial relationship

The school has no connection with the museum.

: such as

a

: position, job

b

: an arrangement to execute orders or advance interests of another

a firm's foreign connections

c

: a source of contraband (such as illegal drugs)

5

: a set of persons associated together: such as

a

: denomination

b

: clan

connectional

kə-ˈnek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• affinity
• association
• bearing
• kinship
• liaison
• linkage
• relation
• relationship

Examples of connection in a Sentence

The state plans to improve roads that serve as connections between major highways.

There is a fee for connection to the town's water supply.

All classrooms will be wired for connection to the Internet.

connections between thought and language

Investigators found no connection between the two fires.

The school has no connection with the museum.

Evidence suggests there's a connection between the languages.

I'm not sure I see the connection.

Our family feels a deep connection to the land.

the connection between smoking and lung cancer

Recent Examples on the Web

Bracken successfully straddles the prickly tonal line between unsettling seriousness and flippant sarcasm as the resolute Darcy harnesses her connection to the dead to elucidate the truth about what happened to her beloved Dani. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024

Affidavit details information leading to suspects arrests and their connection to Butler and Kelley. —Josh Dulaney, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

Wisconsin's connection to conservationists also include people like John Muir, Aldo Leopold and Lorrie Otto, among others. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024

This would still require a cellular or Wi-Fi connection at the time to be sent, so if your iPhone was offline when the battery level became low, this helpful information may not be available. —Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024

All the flowers had some connection to the artists’ lives, including an exact replica of the lily that was in their engagement bouquet. —Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024

Both a romance and an insightful look at the entertainment industry, the book also touches upon connection — both between its characters and for people who inspired its material. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024

India has deepened connections with Europe and the Middle East, too; trade with the United Arab Emirates alone has reached $85 billion. —Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Four people were taken into custody in connection to the disappearance of two Kansas women who were last seen driving through the Oklahoma Panhandle, The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) confirmed to Fox News Digital. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin connexion-, connexio, from conectere — see connect

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing connection

• necessary connection
• make a/the connection
• bad connection
• in connection with

Kids Definition

connection

noun

con·​nec·​tion kə-ˈnek-shən 

1

: the act of connecting

2

: the fact or condition of being connected : relationship

the connection between dirt and disease

3

a

: a thing that connects

b

: a means of communication

a bad telephone connection

c

: a means of continuing a trip (as by train)

4

a

: a person connected with others (as by kinship)

b

: a social, professional, or commercial relationship