connect

verb

1 JOIN (T) to join two or more things together: This railway line connects London and Edinburgh. | connect sth to/with: Connect the speakers to the record player and plug it in. | connecting passage/door etc (=one that joins two rooms, buildings etc): We'd like two rooms with connecting doors.

2 REALIZE (T) to realize that two facts, events, or people are related to each other: She did not connect the two events in her mind. | connect sb/sth with: They did not at first connect her with the crime.

3 ELECTRICITY/GAS ETC (T) to join something to the main supply of electricity, gas, or water, or to the telephone network: Has the phone been connected yet?

-opposite disconnect

4 TELEPHONES (T) to join two telephone lines so that two people can speak: Please hold the line. I'm trying to connect you.

5 TRAINS/BUSES (I) if one train, bus, etc connects with another, it arrives just before the other one leaves so that you can continue your journey: I missed the connecting flight.

(+ with): This train connects with the one to Glasgow.

6 HIT STH (I) AmE to succeed in hitting someone or something: He swung at the ball, but didn't connect.

7 UNDERSTAND PEOPLE (intransitive + with) especially AmE if people connect, they feel that they like each other and understand each other: They valued her ability to empathize and connect with others.

connect sth up phrasal verb (I, T) to join something to the main supply of electricity, gas, or water, or to the telephone network: Is the washing machine connected up yet?