missing link

noun

1

: an absent member needed to complete a series or resolve a problem

2

a

: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between humans and their presumed simian progenitors

b

: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between one animal species or group and its presumed ancestors

a missing link between reptiles and birds

Examples of missing link in a Sentence

Police are hopeful that the new evidence will provide the missing links needed to solve the crime.

scientists searching for the missing link

Recent Examples on the Web

The third principle is the missing link to success. —Kody Boye, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article Few music fans consider David Bowie to be the missing link between fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Todd Rundgren and legendary pop songwriter Burt Bacharach, who won six Grammy Awards, three Oscars and an Emmy before dying at the age of 94 in 2023. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

This seems like a lot of missing links and capacity. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

The missing link to the Minneapolis Grand Rounds trail system would be solved under an ambitious design plan released by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. —Nick Halter, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for missing link

• bobolink
• countersink
• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque

Kids Definition

missing link

noun

: a form of animal believed to have existed that shares characteristics with one animal group and the ancestors from which the group is thought to have evolved but has not been discovered in the fossil record

find the missing link between humans and apes