missing link

noun

1

: an absent member needed to complete a series or resolve a problem

2

a

: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between humans and their presumed simian progenitors

b

: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between one animal species or group and its presumed ancestors

a missing link between reptiles and birds

Examples of missing link in a Sentence

Police are hopeful that the new evidence will provide the missing links needed to solve the crime.

scientists searching for the missing link

Recent Examples on the Web

His anguish and affection become the missing link between the cold hard facts of the cosmos and humanity’s survival. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

From my view leading a company that provides automation solutions for the food industry, the missing link is a clear connection between the use of data and the ways to make incisive business decisions. —Massimo Bizzi, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Editor’s note: This story was updated to add a missing link in the final paragraph. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 2 Dec. 2024

The cell atlas aims to fill in a missing link between genes, diseases and treatment therapies. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

missing link

noun

: a form of animal believed to have existed that shares characteristics with one animal group and the ancestors from which the group is thought to have evolved but has not been discovered in the fossil record

find the missing link between humans and apes