Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense links, present participle linking, past tense, past participle linked
1. countable noun
If there is a linkbetween two things or situations, there is a relationship between them, for example because one thing causes or affects the other.
...the link between smoking and lung cancer. [+ between]
[Also + with]
Synonyms: connection, relationship, association, tie-up More Synonyms of link
2. verb
If someone or something links two things or situations, there is a relationship between them, for example becauseone thing causes or affects the other.
The U.N. Security Council has linked any lifting of sanctions to compliance withthe ceasefire terms. [VERB noun + to]
The study further strengthens the evidence linking smoking with early death. [VERB noun to noun]
Liver cancer is linked to the hepatitis B virus. [VERB noun + to]
The detention raised two distinct but closely linked questions. [VERB-ed]
[Also + V n with]
Synonyms: associate, relate, identify, connect More Synonyms of link
3. See also index-linked
4. countable noun
A linkbetween two things or places is a physical connection between them.
...the high-speed rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel. [+ between]
The new road schemes include a link between the two cities.
Stalin insisted that the radio link with the German Foreign Ministry should remainopen. [+ with]
5. verb
If two places or objects are linked or something links them, there is a physical connection between them.
...the Rama Road, which links the capital, Managua, with the Caribbean coast. [V n + with/to]
The campus is linked by regular bus services to Coventry. [beV-ed + with/to]
...the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: connect, join, unite, couple More Synonyms of link
6. countable noun
A link between two people, organizations, or places is a friendly or business connection between them.
The university has close links with local employers. [+ with]
In 1984 the long link between AC Cars and the Hurlock family was severed. [+ between]
A cabinet minister came under investigation for links to the Mafia. [+ to]
7. countable noun
A link to another person or organization is something that allows you to communicate with them or have contact with them.
She was my only link with the past.
The Red Cross was created to provide a link between soldiers in battle and theirfamilies at home.
These projects will provide vital links between companies and universities.
8. verb
If you link one person or thing to another, you claim that there is a relationship or connection between them.
Criminologist Dr Ann Jones has linked the crime to social circumstances. [V n + to/with]
The tabloids have linked him with various women. [V n + to/with]
...a report in The Sunday Times linking him with organized crime. [V n to/with n]
[Also VERB noun]
9. countable noun
In computing, a link is a connection between different documents, or between different parts of the same document, using hypertext.
Link is also a verb.
Certainly, Andreessen didn't think up using hypertext to link Internet documents. [VERB noun]
10. countable noun
A link is one of the rings in a chain.
11. verb
If you link one thing with another, you join them by putting one thing through the other.
She linked her arm through his. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
He linked the fingers of his hands together on his stomach. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
[Also VERB noun]
See link arms
12. See also link-up
Phrasal verbs:
See link up
More Synonyms of link
link in British English1
(lɪŋk)
noun
1.
any of the separate rings, loops, or pieces that connect or make up a chain
2.
something that resembles such a ring, loop, or piece
3.
a road, rail, air, or sea connection, as between two main routes
4.
a connecting part or episode
5.
a connecting piece in a mechanism, often having pivoted ends
6. Also called: radio link
a system of transmitters and receivers that connect two locations by means of radio and television signals
7.
a unit of length equal to one hundredth of a chain. 1 link of a Gunter's chain is equal to 7.92 inches, and of an engineer's chain to 1 foot
8. computing short for hyperlink
9. weak link
verb
10. (often foll by up)
to connect or be connected with or as if with links
11. (transitive)
to connect by association, etc
Derived forms
linkable (ˈlinkable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse hlekkr link
link in British English2
(lɪŋk)
noun
(formerly) a torch used to light dark streets
Word origin
C16: perhaps from Latin lychnus, from Greek lukhnos lamp
link in American English1
(lɪŋk)
noun
1.
any of the series of rings or loops making up a chain
2.
a.
a section of something resembling a chain
a link of sausage
b.
a point or stage in a series of circumstances
a weak link in the evidence
3.
cuff link
4.
anything serving to connect or tie
a link with the past
5.
a.
one division (1⁄100) of a surveyor's, or Gunter's, chain, equal to 7.92 inches (20.117 centimeters)
b.
one division (1⁄100) of an engineer's chain, equal to 1 foot (30.48 centimeters)
6. Chemistry
bond1 (sense 8)
7. Electricity
the part of a fuse that melts when the current becomes too strong
8. Mechanics
a short connecting rod for transmitting power or motion
9. Radio and Television
a radio unit for transmitting sound or picture between specific stations
verb transitive, verb intransitive
10.
to join together with or as with a link or links
SIMILAR WORDS: join
Derived forms
linker (ˈlinker)
noun
Word origin
ME linke < Scand, as in ON hlekkr, Dan lænke, Swed länk, in same senses, akin to OE hlence, link of a chain, coat of mail < base of hlencan, to twist < IE base *kleng-, to bend, wind > lank
link in American English2
(lɪŋk)
noun
a torch made of tow and pitch
Word origin
prob. < ML linchinus, var. of lichinus, a lamp < L lychnus, a light < Gr lychnos, a lamp < IE *luksnos < base *leuk-, to shine, light1
link in Mechanical Engineering
(lɪŋk)
Word forms: (regular plural) links
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A link is a connecting piece in a mechanism, often with pivoted ends.
Individual links are connected together to form a chain.
One type of conveyer is a carrier belt structure made from pivotally interconnectedrigid links.
A link is a connecting piece in a mechanism, often with pivoted ends.
More idioms containing
link
a weak link
COBUILD Collocations
link
forge links
sever links with
Examples of 'link' in a sentence
link
They are not linking the two cases.
The Sun (2016)
This quality is also linked to having good impulse control.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The advice is to use the latter far more liberally in connecting linked sentences.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Don't click on links or provide bank details to anyone whose identity you cannot verify.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are the soul of the surviving population and the oppressed country's one link with freedom.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Heavy pollution makes people drive more dangerously, according to the first study to link dirty air with road accidents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It has direct rail links, Tube connections and is close to three motorways.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The cheapest option for the Link Road was chosen at construction to get it built quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
More than 12 million pages of evidence have already been put online and video link systems have been installed in 130 courts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Local systems can be linked into head office systems.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
Turns out you are only as strong as the weakest link in the chain.
The Sun (2014)
Young people also linked some of the trouble to anger at their general treatment by police.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is a strong link between the two parts of the mind.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
Three of the cases were linked to one cat.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It provides the link between the hardware and the applications package being run.
Samways, B. & Byrne-Jones, T. Computers Basic Facts (1983)
Whether a family link provides that connection is debatable.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The previous direct rail link was closed for this reason and an air link also failed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The connecting link is a general point of view.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
International experience shows there is no necessary link between how systems perform and how they are funded.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The weakest link in the chain of administration was the way in which ships were armed.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
It is thought that the shocks could also strengthen links between the head and the body.
The Sun (2015)
That section neatly links into a crime section.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Part two is linked at the bottom of this post.
Christianity Today (2000)
There is not one weak link here.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Initially hired to provide animations that linked the sketches in the original series.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He was impressed by the rapid improvements to the infrastructure and air links.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
As her film unfolds, a number of historical parallels and odd connections emerge to link past and present.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Anyone who thinks local opposition would be easily overcome should review the extended history of the Channel Tunnel rail link.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The new Channel Tunnel rail link has shown that we can deliver a key rail project on time and within budget.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
link
British English: link /lɪŋk/ NOUN
If there is a link between two things or situations, there is a relationship between them, for example because one thing causes or affects the other.
...the link between poverty and disease.
American English: link
Arabic: رَابِطَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: elo
Chinese: 链环
Croatian: poveznica
Czech: spojitost
Danish: forbindelse
Dutch: link
European Spanish: eslabón
Finnish: linkki
French: lien
German: Glied Kette
Greek: κρίκος
Italian: collegamento
Japanese: 輪
Korean: 관련
Norwegian: lenke
Polish: łącze
European Portuguese: elo
Romanian: legătură
Russian: связь
Latin American Spanish: vínculo
Swedish: länk
Thai: ความเชื่อมโยง
Turkish: halka zincir
Ukrainian: зв'язок
Vietnamese: sự kết nối
British English: link /lɪŋk/ VERB
If someone or something links two things or situations, there is a relationship between them, for example because one thing causes or affects the other.
The newspaper has linked the scandal with the president.