connect
con·nect
 /kəˈnɛkt/  verb  , -nects, -nect·ed, -nect·ing
  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]
  1 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  ]
  2 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]
  2 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]
  connect the dots
    chiefly US    informal   : to learn or understand how different things are related
    The information about these events is not new but no one had ever connected the dots until today.
  connect up [  phrasal verb  ]
   connect up (something) or connect (something) up : to join or link (a device, piece of equipment, etc.) to something
    I'm having trouble connecting the speakers up to the TV.
    An electrician will be connecting up the new lights tomorrow. [=joining the lights to a source of electricity]
  con·nect·able /kəˈnɛktəbəl/  adj   [more ~; most ~]
   The devices are connectable. [=they can be connected]
  con·nect·ing  adj  
   I missed my connecting flight in Detroit.