1 [count] : something that joins or connects two or more things
▪ The state plans to improve roads that serve as connections between major highways. ▪ pipe/hose connections 2 [noncount] : the act of connecting two or more things or the state of being connected
▪ There is a fee for connection to the town's water supply. ▪ All classrooms will be wired for connection to the Internet. 3 [count] a : a situation in which two or more things have the same cause, origin, goal, etc.
▪ 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.
b : a situation in which one thing causes another
▪ the connection between smoking and lung cancer ▪ The study suggests a connection between small class sizes and higher reading scores. 4 [count] a : something that allows you to become connected to a system, network, etc., through a telephone, computer, or other device
▪ a high-speed Internet connection ▪ The company provides telephone connections for most of the city's residents. ▪ I can't hear you very well. We must have a bad connection. [=a problem with the way our phones are connected]
b : a place where two parts or wires meet and touch
▪ an electrical connection ▪ I fixed the loose connection and now the speaker works fine. 5 [count] : a train, bus, or airplane that you get onto after getting off another train, bus, or airplane as part of the same journey
▪ We fly out of Oslo and then have a connection [=connecting flight] in London. ▪ We don't have a direct flight to Boston. We have to make a connection in Chicago. 6 [count] a : a relationship between people who are part of the same family, who do business together, etc.
▪ He has no connection with his former law firm. ▪ They are proud of their connection to the royal family. ▪ Family connections can make getting a job much easier.
b : a shared feeling of affection and understanding
▪ We didn't know each other for very long, but we had a real connection. ▪ They're working hard to make an emotional connection with their adopted children. ▪ a performer's connection with the audience 7 [count] a : a powerful person who you know and who can help you — usually plural ▪ She has some connections in the banking industry.
b informal : a person who sells something illegal
▪ a drug connection