linkage

noun

link·​age ˈliŋ-kij 

1

: the manner or style of being united: such as

a

: the manner in which atoms or radicals are linked in a molecule

b

: bond sense 3c

2

: the quality or state of being linked

especially : the relationship between genes on the same chromosome that causes them to be inherited together compare mendel's law sense 2

3

: a system of links

especially : a system of links or bars which are jointed together and more or less constrained by having a link or links fixed and by means of which straight or nearly straight lines or other point paths may be traced

4

: link sense 2b

5

: the tactic in diplomatic negotiations of linking often unrelated issues so that progress in one area is dependent on agreement in another

Synonyms

• affinity
• association
• bearing
• connection
• kinship
• liaison
• relation
• relationship

Examples of linkage in a Sentence

linkages between population growth and disease

the accountants noticed a linkage between the two supposedly independent companies

Recent Examples on the Web

But a second batch were users with no obvious linkage — and some of those strangers harbored bad intentions, say Neville’s lawyers in courtroom affidavits. —Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2024

This linkage is a key part of any modern AI data center system, and whoever controls the link standard can effectively dictate which hardware the tech companies will use. —Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 30 May 2024

Yet the linkages can’t simply be transferred to the outgoing particles that Hawking postulated, at least not without causing other troubles, according to an influential study by Ahmed Almheiri of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., and his colleagues in 2013. —George Musser, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022

At Omaha Beach, Biden drew an explicit linkage between that long-ago fight for freedom and democracy and Ukraine’s struggle for survival today. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing linkage

• cross-linkage
• linkage group
• peptide linkage
• sex-linkage

Kids Definition

linkage

noun

link·​age ˈliŋ-kij 

1

: the manner or style of being united: as

a

: the manner in which atoms or radicals are linked in a molecule

b

: bond entry 1 sense 2b

2

: the quality or state of being linked

especially : the occurring together of genes on the same chromosome with the result that the traits they control are not inherited independently of each other but tend to be found together

3

: a system of links

especially : a system of links or bars jointed together by means of which lines or curves may be traced

Medical Definition

linkage

noun

link·​age ˈliŋ-kij 

1

: the manner in which atoms or radicals are connected by chemical bonds in a molecule

2

: the relationship between genes on the same chromosome that causes them to be inherited together compare mendel's law sense 2