connection
con·nec·tion
 /kəˈnɛkʃən/  noun  ,  pl   -tions
  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  ]
  3 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.
  3 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  ]
  4 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]
  4 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  ]
  6 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.
  6 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  ]
  7 a : a powerful person who you know and who can help you
  — usually plural
   She has some connections in the banking industry.
  7 b informal : a person who sells something illegal
   a drug connection
  in connection with
   : in relation to (something) : for reasons that relate to (something)
    — used especially in journalism
    Police arrested four men in connection with the robbery.
   
  make a/the connection
   : to understand that there is a relationship between two or more things
    It didn't take long for us to make the connection between the missing money and our partner's new car.