connection
Pluralconnections
- 1A way in which two things, facts or ideas are linked, so that one is related to the other or changes it.
Doctors found a connection between poor sleep and headaches.
The police think the two robberies have no connection.
UsageSay the connection between two things, or a connection with something.
Similarlink, relationship, association, relation
- 2A link that lets people talk, travel, or send information between places.
Like a road that joins two towns so people can travel between them.
The internet connection dropped during the video call.
There is no phone connection in the remote village.
UsageYou can lose your internet or phone connection.
Similarlink, line, service, route, channel
Note
- 3A warm feeling of understanding between people who get along well.
Like two friends who always seem to know what the other is thinking.
They felt an instant connection when they first met.
A strong connection grew between the two friends over the years.
UsageYou feel a connection with someone.
Similarrapport, bond, affinity, chemistry, understanding
Oppositedisconnect, estrangement, alienation, distance
- 4
- 5A person you know through family or business.
Like knowing someone who can help you because of who they are.
He got the job through a connection at the company.
My uncle has a connection at the bank who might help you.
UsageOften connections: he has connections. Say a connection at the company.
Similarcontact, associate, acquaintance, relative, relation
- 6The act of joining two or more things together.
Like clicking two pieces of a toy together.
The connection of the two pipes took only a few minutes.
The company charges a small fee for connection to the water supply.
UsageSay the connection of one thing to another.
Similarlinking, joining, attachment, linkage, hookup
Oppositedisconnection, separation, detachment, severance
Note
- 7A change from one bus, train, or plane to another on a planned trip.
Like catching a second bus right after the first one drops you off.
We missed our connection because the first train was late.
Her flight connection in Chicago gave her only twenty minutes.
UsageYou make or miss your connection.
Note
- 8
Less common meanings
- 9The way the parts of something fit together so it makes sense.
Like a story where each part leads smoothly into the next.
The essay lacked connection, jumping from one idea to the next.
The teacher liked the clear order and connection of his essay.
Similarcoherence, cohesion, continuity, unity, consistency
Oppositeincoherence, disjointedness, discontinuity, inconsistency
- 10
- 11An old-fashioned, polite way of saying sex.
The exact nature of the relations between the boy-wife and his protector are doubtful; they certainly have connection, but the natives repudiate with horror and disgust the idea of sodomy.
1927, Havelock Ellis, Studies in the Psychology of SexSimilarintercourse, relations, union, congress, intimacy
Note
- 12The whole Methodist church seen as one body, not its separate local churches.
- 13A collection containing the empty set, every one-element subset of its members, and unions of members with a shared element.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin words meaning "to bind together," from co- ("together") and nectō ("I bind"). It came into English through Middle English.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Connection ultimately derives from Latin meaning “to bind together.” en.wiktionary.org
- The Latin components are co-, meaning “together,” and nectō, meaning “I bind.” en.wiktionary.org
- Nectō is the first-person singular present active form, meaning “I bind.” en.wiktionary.org
- The English word descends through Middle English. en.wiktionary.org