connection
/kəˈnekʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈnekʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈnek-shən/ (ame, mw)
connection — noun
- connectionsingular
- connectionsplural
1. A relationship between two facts, events, or situations where one affects or rel
A relationship between two facts, events, or situations where one affects or relates to the other, such as the link between smoking and lung disease, or between childhood experiences and adult behaviour.
The police found a clear connection between the two thefts that happened last week.
connection between [noun] and [noun] — linking two events
Researchers have discovered a strong connection between regular exercise and better memory.
strong connection between [factor] and [outcome]
Iris could not see any connection between her comment and his angry reaction.
The study examined the connection between children's sleep and their school results.
Scientists are studying the connection between air pollution and breathing problems in children.
- link
more informal; suggests a direct, often physical tie
- relationship
broader; can describe any kind of association between things
- correlation
more technical; implies a statistical or scientific association
- tie
suggests a strong or personal bond, often emotional
- disconnection
the state of being separate or unrelated
- gap
suggests a missing link or lack of relationship
文法句型
connection between [noun phrase] and [noun phrase]
connection with [noun phrase]
connection to [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Often used with the prepositions 'between' (connecting two equal items), 'with' (associating one item to another), or 'to' (linking one item to a broader context). Frequently appears in academic or investigative contexts.
常見錯誤
2. Used in the fixed phrase 'in connection with' to show what subject or topic some
Used in the fixed phrase 'in connection with' to show what subject or topic something relates to — for example, a document in connection with a court case, or an arrest in connection with a crime.
The company will issue a formal statement in connection with the factory closure.
in connection with [topic] — formal phrasing
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery at the city museum.
The lawyer asked to see all documents in connection with the property sale.
Owen called a staff meeting in connection with the new safety rules in the factory.
The committee is reviewing evidence in connection with the water pollution case.
- regarding
less formal; works in everyday business writing
- concerning
similar formality; slightly more formal than 'regarding'
- relating to
more general; can replace 'in connection with' in most contexts
文法句型
in connection with [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This sense is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'in connection with'. It is common in news reports, legal documents, and formal correspondence. The phrase always takes a noun phrase (not a clause) as its object.
常見錯誤
3. People you know who are in a position to help you, give you useful information,
People you know who are in a position to help you, give you useful information, or open doors for you in your work or social life — for example, business connections, political connections, or family connections.
Manuela got the job through her father's business connections in the fashion industry.
business connections in [industry]
Khadija used her political connections to speed up the permit approval for the new building.
Building connections in the tech industry is essential for young software engineers.
Sana's family connections helped her find an apartment in the crowded city centre.
The university has strong connections with research hospitals across the country.
- contacts
more neutral; often used in professional contexts
- network
suggests a group of contacts that support each other
- associates
emphasises professional or work-based relationships
- outsider
someone without useful contacts or inside knowledge
文法句型
[possessive] connections in [field/industry]
[possessive] connections with [person/organization]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural ('connections') in this sense. A single 'connection' usually refers to a specific person, but the plural form describes one's overall network. Frequently paired with 'business', 'political', 'family', or 'professional' as modifiers.
常見錯誤
4. How two physical items are fitted together, or the part (such as a pipe fitting,
How two physical items are fitted together, or the part (such as a pipe fitting, wire terminal, or cable joint) that holds them in place or allows liquids, electricity, or signals to pass between them.
The plumber fixed the loose connection under the kitchen sink before it leaked again.
loose connection — typical adjective for physical join
Check the cable connection between the computer and the printer if it stops working.
A loose connection in the old wiring caused the kitchen lights to flicker all evening.
Feng tightened the connection on the water pipe using a large metal wrench.
The connection point on the battery was covered in rust and needed to be cleaned.
- disconnection
the act of separating physical parts
文法句型
[type] connection between [noun] and [noun]
[type] connection in/to [noun]
用法筆記
Common in technical and DIY contexts. Frequently appears with adjectives describing the quality of the join ('loose', 'secure', 'tight') followed by a prepositional phrase specifying the system ('in the wiring', 'on the pipe', 'between the cables').
常見錯誤
5. The state or quality of a piece of electronic equipment (a laptop, phone, or tab
The state or quality of a piece of electronic equipment (a laptop, phone, or tablet) being linked to a network, especially the internet, so that you can access websites, send messages, or stream content.
The internet connection in the library is fast enough for video streaming.
internet connection — most common collocation
Alessia lost her Wi-Fi connection halfway through the important video call.
The hotel offers a free wireless connection in every room for its guests.
Bilal's connection kept dropping while he tried to submit his assignment online.
You need a stable broadband connection to play multiplayer games without delay.
- disconnection
the state of being offline or cut off from the network
文法句型
[type] connection
[possessive] connection [verb]
connection to [network/service]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (phone call connection) in the other chunk: this sense focuses on internet/data connectivity for devices, not voice calls between people. Frequently used with adjectives describing speed or reliability ('fast', 'stable', 'slow', 'unreliable').
常見錯誤
6. A feeling of understanding, closeness, and natural sympathy between people, or b
A feeling of understanding, closeness, and natural sympathy between people, or between a person and a place, activity, or thing — for instance, feeling an instant bond with a new colleague, or a deep attachment to a childhood home.
I felt an immediate connection with the other students in my art class.
feel an immediate connection with [group] — emotional bond
The therapist established a strong connection with her young patient after several sessions.
Brian felt a deep connection to the old house the moment he stepped inside.
There was an instant connection between the two musicians when they first played together.
Many visitors feel a spiritual connection when they walk through the ancient forest.
- distance
lack of closeness or emotional separation
- disconnect
a feeling of being out of touch or not understood
文法句型
connection with [person/thing]
connection between [person] and [person/thing]
feel a connection to [person/thing]
用法筆記
This sense describes an emotional or intuitive bond, not a logical relationship (sense 1) or a physical link (sense 4). Often used with 'immediate', 'instant', 'deep', or 'strong' as modifiers. The object of the feeling is introduced by 'with' (person) or 'to' (place or activity).
常見錯誤
7. the state in which a working phone link exists between two devices, letting peop
the state in which a working phone link exists between two devices, letting people in separate locations communicate.
Charlotte tried to call her brother, but the connection was so bad she could barely hear him.
collocation: connection is bad / terrible / poor
We got cut off mid-sentence and had to dial again to restore the connection.
common pattern: restore / lose a connection
The train tunnel often causes a weak mobile connection for passengers underground.
Ayesha waited for the video connection to improve before starting her online meeting.
Eli hung up and tried again because the connection kept dropping every few seconds.
Satellite phone connections can be unreliable during a heavy storm at sea.
用法筆記
Commonly used with adjectives describing quality: good, bad, poor, clear, weak, strong. Often appears in the pattern 'the connection + verb' (drops, fails, goes dead, improves).
常見錯誤
8. a bus, train, or plane scheduled so that you can step off one vehicle and board
a bus, train, or plane scheduled so that you can step off one vehicle and board the next one to keep travelling toward your destination.
Niran missed his connection in Chicago and had to wait four hours for the next flight to Seattle.
common pattern: miss / catch a connection
The train arrives at platform 3, and the bus connection for Oxford Circus leaves from the station square.
Mira booked a flight with a tight connection — only forty minutes between landing and takeoff.
If the first bus is late, we will lose our train connection and arrive home after midnight.
Sumin checked the departure board to confirm which gate her connection would leave from.
用法筆記
Often used in travel contexts with verbs like 'catch,' 'miss,' 'make,' 'book.' The adjective 'tight' (short transfer time) or 'good' (comfortable transfer time) is common.
常見錯誤
9. a route or service — for example a railway, bus line, airport, or road — that le
a route or service — for example a railway, bus line, airport, or road — that lets you move from one area to another.
The new high-speed railway provides a direct connection between Taipei and Kaohsiung.
collocation: direct connection between [places]
Daichi chose a hotel near the airport because of the convenient bus connection to the city centre.
The harbour now offers a ferry connection to several small islands that previously had no regular transport.
Zayd checked whether there was a train connection from the airport to the mountain resort before booking his holiday.
Heloísa was happy to hear that the new subway line would offer a fast connection to the university district.
Rural villages often have poor road connections, making it hard for residents to reach hospitals and schools.
用法筆記
Typically used with prepositions 'between' (link two places) or 'to' (direction toward a place). Can be countable ('a bus connection') or uncountable ('better road connection').
10. a person who is related to you, especially someone outside your immediate family
a person who is related to you, especially someone outside your immediate family such as a cousin, uncle, or in-law.
Baraka has distant connections in Canada whom he has never met in person.
collocation: distant / close / family connection
The wedding brought together all the family connections from both sides, including great-aunts and second cousins.
Eve discovered she had a connection to a famous writer when her grandmother showed her old family letters.
Madison's family reunion was huge because her grandmother had seven siblings, creating many connections across the country.
Through her mother's side, Ayesha has Irish connections that she hopes to explore on her next trip to Europe.
- stranger
someone not related to you at all
用法筆記
Almost always appears in plural form ('connections') when referring to multiple relatives. Often modified by a nationality or place ('Irish connections,' 'family connections in Texas'). Distinguish from sense 1 (relationship/link), which can be abstract; sense 10 always refers to actual people.
常見錯誤
11. a person who sells illegal drugs, especially one who supplies the same customers
a person who sells illegal drugs, especially one who supplies the same customers regularly.
The police arrested the man they believed was the main connection for heroin in the neighbourhood.
collocation: main connection + [drug name]
Detective Okafor spent months trying to identify the connection who supplied cocaine to the clubs.
In court, the dealer refused to name his connections higher up the chain.
The documentary showed how young people in the area were introduced to a connection at school.
Undercover officers used a known connection to arrange a meeting with the cartel's local distributor.
用法筆記
Strongly informal and associated with criminal slang. Not used in formal or academic writing. The term often implies a regular, ongoing supplier–customer relationship rather than a one-time sale.