connections

A connection is a link or relationship between two or more entities that enables interaction, transfer, or coherence. Connections can be physical, such as wires between components, or abstract, such as causal or communicative links between ideas. In everyday use, "connections" describe social ties as well as interfaces that allow systems to exchange data, energy, or matter.

In network science, a connection is an edge that links nodes. The pattern of connections determines the network’s connectivity, path lengths, and resilience. In computing and telecommunications, connections are established channels between devices or software processes, including network sockets, API calls, and database connections, each with properties such as latency, bandwidth, and reliability.

Biology and physiology refer to connections as anatomical or functional linkages, such as blood vessels, synapses, or nerve pathways that enable signaling and transport. Social science treats connections as relationships and social networks, where the number and strength of ties influence information flow, social capital, and opportunities.

Measurement and management of connections focus on quality, security, and efficiency. In infrastructure, connections must be maintained to prevent fragmentation; in digital systems, they require authentication and encryption to protect privacy. The term also encompasses conceptual connections, linking ideas into coherent theories and explanations, underscoring how everything from machines to communities relies on effective linkages.