nexus

Nexus is a term that denotes a connection or series of connections linking two or more things. Derived from the Latin nexus, meaning a binding or tying together, the word is used across disciplines to describe a hub, junction, or point where pathways converge. In general usage, a nexus can be a physical point, a conceptual linkage, or a moment where several factors intersect.

In law and economics, nexus has a more precise meaning. A tax or regulatory nexus refers to a sufficient connection between a business and a jurisdiction that justifies imposing tax or requiring compliance. The phrase “nexus of contracts” describes a firm as a network of contractual relationships among owners, employees, suppliers, and customers. In tort and causation, a causal nexus denotes a legally recognized link between an act and an injury.

In technology and culture, Nexus appears as a brand name and a fictional concept. Google used Nexus as the marque for its line of Android smartphones and tablets from 2010 to 2015, later replaced by the Pixel brand. In science fiction, the Nexus is a recurring motif—most notably a vast, extradimensional region in Star Trek associated with altered perception and time. In network theory, a nexus can describe a central hub where multiple pathways meet, serving as a critical juncture for information or traffic flow.