connect

verb

con·​nect kə-ˈnekt How to pronounce connect (audio)
connected; connecting; connects

intransitive verb

1
: to become joined
The two rooms connect by a hallway.
ideas that connect easily to form a theory
2
a
: to meet for the transference of passengers
connecting flights
b
: to transfer (as from one airplane to another) as a step in traveling to a final destination
passengers connecting with international flights
3
: to make a successful hit, shot, or throw
connected for a home run
He connected on 60 percent of his shots.
4
: to have or establish a rapport
tried to connect with the younger generation
5
: to establish a communications connection
connect to the Internet

transitive verb

1
: to join or fasten together usually by something intervening
A highway connects the two towns.
2
: to place or establish in relationship
Police were unable to connect her to the crime.
connectable adjective
or less commonly connectible
connector noun
or less commonly connecter
Phrases
connect the dots
: to link together logically related elements in order to draw a conclusion
trying to connect the dots in the investigation
Choose the Right Synonym for connect

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

Examples of connect in a Sentence

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. The two bones connect at the elbow. The hose connects easily to the sprinkler. The bedroom connects to the kitchen. I never connected you with that group of people. There's no evidence connecting the company directly to the scandal.
Recent Examples on the Web At the same time, the first intercontinental telegraph wire was laid in 1858, connecting North America to Europe. TIME, 18 Mar. 2024 Salloum had been dreading the idea of being connected to a machine with tubes and a plug-in base. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 Boots on the ground at all, connecting it somehow. KIRBY: In Pentagon-eze (ph) this is called JLOTS, Joint Logistics Over The Shore. ABC News, 17 Mar. 2024 But Nicholas, who had Jewish heritage, connected to the plight of these people. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 California’s approach to high-speed rail suffers from a similar failure to connect. Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 Like Clay, many men carry the weight of their past experiences into their relationships, impacting their ability to connect deeply and authentically with their partners. Essence, 16 Mar. 2024 The pair get tangled up in crimes connected to Lou's estranged father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), that tests their love for and commitment to one another. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Firefighters from Washington, Philadelphia and even New York rushed to help put out the flames, but without standard couplings, their hoses couldn’t connect to the Baltimore hydrants. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'connect.' 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

Middle English, from Latin conectere, connectere, from com- + nectere to bind

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of connect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near connect

Cite this Entry

“Connect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connect. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

connect

verb
con·​nect kə-ˈnekt How to pronounce connect (audio)
1
: to join or link together directly or by something coming between : unite
towns connected by a railroad
the two bones connect at the elbow
2
: to attach by personal relationship
connected by marriage
3
: to bring together in thought
connect the smell of burning leaves with childhood
4
: to be related
an event connected with our success
5
: to establish a means of communication
connect to the Internet
connector noun
also connecter

More from Merriam-Webster on connect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!