1 a [+ obj] : to join (two or more things) together
▪ Can you connect the hose to the sprinkler? ▪ Connect the cable to the battery. ▪ A hallway connects the two rooms. ▪ It's the major highway connecting the two towns. ▪ A common theme connects the stories. — often used as (be) connected ▪ The two rooms are connected by a hallway. ▪ The stories are connected by a common theme. ▪ They are somehow connected to the royal family. [=they are related in some way to the royal family] ▪ people connected by a common language ▪ The schools are closely connected. [=they are closely involved with one another]
b [no obj] : to join with or become joined to something else
▪ The two bones connect at the elbow. ▪ The hose connects easily to the sprinkler. ▪ The bedroom connects to the kitchen. — opposite disconnect 2 [+ obj] a : to think of (something or someone) as being related to or involved with another person, thing, event, or idea
▪ People usually connect [=associate] clowns with the circus. ▪ I never connected you with that group of people. — often used as (be) connected ▪ In my mind, the two places are connected. [=I think of the two places as being related to each other]
b : to show or prove that a person or thing is related to or involved with something
▪ Police were unable to connect [=link] her to the crime. ▪ There's no evidence connecting the company directly to the scandal. — often used as (be) connected ▪ Many people still believe she is somehow connected to the crime. 3 : to join or become joined to something (such as a system or network) through a telephone, computer, or other device — usually + to [no obj] ▪ Guests can connect to the Internet from their hotel rooms. ▪ The computer connects to the fax machine. [+ obj] ▪ “Operator, can you connect me to the front desk?” [=can you link my telephone with the telephone at the front desk so that I can talk to the person there?] — opposite disconnect 4 [no obj] — used to say that an airplane, train, etc., stops at a particular place where passengers get onto another airplane, train, etc., in order to continue their journey ▪ Our flight to New York connects in Chicago. ▪ We leave from Boston and then connect in New York with a flight bound for China. ▪ I took an early flight to connect with a train to the coast. ▪ passengers connecting to/with international flights 5 [no obj] chiefly US, informal : to have or share a feeling of affection and understanding
▪ We really connected on our first date. ▪ She truly connects with her audience in concert. 6 [no obj] chiefly US, sports : to make a successful shot, hit, or throw
▪ He connected for a home run. ▪ She failed to connect on the shot. = The shot failed to connect. [=the shot missed]