linkage

noun link·age \ ˈliŋ-kij \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

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 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 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 2b

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

See linkage defined for English-language learners

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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 of linkage from the Web

But Davis’ cadenza was not so much a jazz statement as a linkage between jazz and its antecedents in ancient Africa.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Jazz Philharmonic delivers urgent message with 'Chicago Immigrant Stories'," 15 June 2018
That indicates to Temkin that the original linkage may have been the result of inaccurate data.

— elizabeth inglese, Vogue, "Why Johnson & Johnson’s $4.7 Billion Baby Powder Lawsuit Is Important for Women Everywhere," 13 July 2018
There are plans to buy other land in the area to widen the wildlife linkage.

— j. harry jones, latimes.com, "Land purchase makes possible big-cat crossing over — or under — I-15 in Riverside County," 29 Apr. 2018
There are plans to buy other land in the area to widen the wildlife linkage.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Land purchase makes a big cat crossing across I-15 possible," 28 Apr. 2018
Everything was labeled in centimorgans -- a unit for measuring genetic linkage -- and broken up into categories of potential relation.

— jackie montalvo, NBC News, "The long-lost sister my family never knew existed," 17 June 2018
Initial studies show positive linkages between legal services and health care utilization and patient well-being.

— jay chaudhary, STAT, "Opioid recovery teams benefit from the addition of lawyers," 29 May 2018
Wood then analyzed different types of volunteers to better create linkages between the participating organizations and nonprofits that hoped to partner with them.

— mark rudin, idahostatesman, "Arts and science together: Research plays vital role in Idaho’s cultural world | Idaho Statesman," 27 Apr. 2018
The linkage between household smoke and harm seems not to be linear, says Kevin Mortimer of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

— The Economist, "Household smoke may be the world’s deadliest environmental hazard," 5 Apr. 2018

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.