linkage

noun

Save Word

link·age | \ ˈliŋ-kij

Definition of linkage

1 : the manner or style of being united: such as

a : the manner in which atoms or radicals are linked in a molecule

b : bond sense 3c

2 : the quality or state of being linked especially : the relationship between genes on the same chromosome that causes them to be inherited together — compare mendel's law sense 2

3 : a system of links especially : a system of links or bars which are jointed together and more or less constrained by having a link or links fixed and by means of which straight or nearly straight lines or other point paths may be traced

4 : link sense 2b

5 : the tactic in diplomatic negotiations of linking often unrelated issues so that progress in one area is dependent on agreement in another

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about linkage

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of linkage in a Sentence

linkages between population growth and disease the accountants noticed a linkage between the two supposedly independent companies

Recent Examples on the Web Each unit is actuated by a bell crank from a linkage that attaches to the lower end of the hub carrier. — Giancarlo Perini, Car and Driver, "1989 Cizeta Moroder V16T Dares to Be Different," 14 Sep. 2020 The city also is working on a Salado linkage by Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and is in the design phase on a ¾-mile extension from S.E. Military to serve the Monte Viejo neighborhood. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, "Major greenway trails linkage underway," 1 Feb. 2021 But the linkage between King and the FBI’s long-standing mission to expose communist subterfuge in America is something of a Red herring, since so much of what the FBI pursued with King concerned his alleged infidelities and not his politics. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "Dr. King was tracked by the FBI. In ‘MLK/FBI,’ filmmakers explore why.," 14 Jan. 2021 After the performance, Doerries convened a panel of medical workers and support staff to trace the emotional and psychological linkage from Athens to the Upper West Side. — Washington Post, "During a pandemic, the medical profession turns to Greek tragedy — to heal," 20 Nov. 2020 Is there a genetic linkage between species domination and religious domination? ROY BRUNO Redmond, Wash. — Scientific American, "Readers Respond to the August 2020 Issue," 17 Nov. 2020 Physical evidence from the scene also bolstered the linkage, he was told. — Alan Levin, Bloomberg.com, "‘We’re Going to Ground the Plane’: How Boeing’s Max Was Parked," 31 Oct. 2020 The linkage of national pride to policy can lead to some smugness—especially when Canadians judge their system against that of the US. — Nathan Whitlock, The New York Review of Books, "Where Health Care Is a Human Right," 3 Nov. 2020 Stockholm designer Daniele Tottle loved the consistency and visual linkage of all the apps. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "Why everyone’s so angry about Google’s new app icons," 30 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'linkage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.