connect
verb
uk/kəˈnekt/ us [ I or T ]
to join two or more pieces of equipment together, or to be joined in this way:
Wireless networks allow you to connect two or more PCs within your own home.
connect to sth The cable connects to a USB slot.
connect sth to/with sth Once the drives are installed, connect power and data cables to each one.
be connected (to sth) The red light shows that the electricity supply is connected.
[ T ]
to join two places:
a high-speed rail corridor connecting the major European cities
connect sth to/with sth The Midtown tunnel connects Long Island to Manhattan.
[ I or T ]
to create a relationship between two or more people, groups, or things:
Internet searches are an important tool for connecting buyers and sellers.
Successful marketing is all about connecting with your customers, and building good relationships.
connect sb/sth to sb/sth Our aim is to connect our members to a global network of business and industry peers.
[ I or T ] COMMUNICATIONS, IT, INTERNET
to use a computer, phone, etc. in order to use the internet or other computer system:
Anti-virus software is a must if your computer is connected to the internet.
connect sth to sth More and more employees are connecting smartphones to their employers' network.
connect sb/sth with sb/sth an intranet system connecting dealers worldwide with a central database
get/stay connected Many executives feel a pressure to stay connected outside normal working hours.
[ T ]
to consider or see a relationship between one person or thing and another:
He had a problem connecting what he had learned on the course with the day-to-day running of the department.
[ T ] COMMUNICATIONS
to allow someone who has made a phone call to speak to another person or to use a telephone service:
One moment please, I'll try to connect you.
connect sb to sb/sth BT has raised the price of connecting callers to its directory enquiry service.
[ I ] TRANSPORT
if two public transport vehicles connect, they arrive at suitable times to allow passengers to get off one and onto another in order to continue their journey:
connect with sth Your flight arrives at ten o'clock and will connect with a bus service to the conference centre.
a connecting flight/train, etc.
TRANSPORT
a flight, train, etc. that leaves at a suitable time for you to take it to continue your journey after you have travelled on a previous flight, train, etc.:
There are connecting services to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam from more than 10 UK regional airports.
connect the dots
to bring together information from different places in order to understand something as a whole or how different things affect each other:
We fail to connect the dots between the way we live today and the needs of tomorrow.
No one knew all the information and no one connected all the dots.