1
: the manner or style of being united: such as
a
: the manner in which atoms or radicals are linked in a molecule
b
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
5
: the tactic in diplomatic negotiations of linking often unrelated issues so that progress in one area is dependent on agreement in another
Synonyms
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
In the early 1990s, Congress created the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program, whose very name implies a linkage that does not necessarily exist.
—
David Zipper, Vox, 29 July 2024
The state is in the early stages of conducting an investigation to understand those linkages, and has requested additional epidemiology support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
—Megan Molteni Reprints, STAT, 22 July 2024
The problem has been that the chemical linkages in the polymers are often distinct from the chemicals that living things have come across in the past, so enzymes that break down polymers have been rare.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 30 Apr. 2024
Damage from things like radiation can break these chemical linkages, with fragmentation increasing over time.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for linkage 
David Zipper, Vox, 29 July 2024
The state is in the early stages of conducting an investigation to understand those linkages, and has requested additional epidemiology support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
—Megan Molteni Reprints, STAT, 22 July 2024
The problem has been that the chemical linkages in the polymers are often distinct from the chemicals that living things have come across in the past, so enzymes that break down polymers have been rare.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 30 Apr. 2024
Damage from things like radiation can break these chemical linkages, with fragmentation increasing over time.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for linkage
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'linkage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near linkage
Cite this Entry
“Linkage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linkage. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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