connection

noun

con·​nec·​tion kə-ˈnek-shən How to pronounce connection (audio)
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
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
b
: clan
connectional
kə-ˈnek-shnəl How to pronounce connection (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

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 But nothing compares to the Loyola-Mira Costa match when communities come together and the players rise or fall with an emotional connection that can’t be duplicated. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Instead, the novels explored the danger of connection, of the way a thought, once shared, can expand into an unstoppable force—a radical, terrifying ideology or a shrewd solution to a seemingly insurmountable crisis. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2024 The utility provides electricity, water, sewer and natural gas to the city and 75% of Pitt County, with a combined total of nearly 168,000 customer connections. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2024 Nowhere is that connection more evident than the primary bedroom, which sits like a treehouse suspended by thin steel columns above the creek. Michelle Brunner, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 The ballot measure would create a panel of five Democrats, five Republicans and five independents with no recent political connections. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024 And then to have enough faith and then love and connection with this man. Joanne Fowler, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 Some reviews were written by people with business and personal connections to the facility, like a person who appears to be the executive director’s husband. Sahana Jayaraman, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 While most of us learn the broad strokes of this history in elementary school, few of us have the kind of the personal connection to this dark chapter that historian James L. Swanson felt from an early age. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'connection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin connexion-, connexio, from conectere — see connect

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of connection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near connection

Cite this Entry

“Connection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connection. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

connection

noun
con·​nec·​tion kə-ˈnek-shən How to pronounce connection (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on connection

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