linkage
gb/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/ us/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
relation
1
relationship or connection between things
A clear relationship or connection between two or more things, often where one thing changes because of another.
Usage pattern:
a linkage between [things]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *linkage* instead of the more common word *link* in everyday speech. In most casual situations, *link* or *connection* is more natural (e.g., “the link between stress and sleep” rather than “the linkage between stress and sleep”). *Linkage* is more frequent in formal or technical writing.
Synonyms
connection (More general and more common; does not always suggest an influence or cause–effect relationship as strongly as “linkage” can in formal writing.)
Antonyms
separation (Emphasizes that things are kept apart and do not influence or relate to each other.)
Collocations
linkage between
|direct linkage
|close linkage
|causal linkage
|economic linkage
|policy linkage
Themes
science
|business
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Researchers found a strong linkage between air pollution and asthma in children.
- The report examines the linkage between education levels and income.
- There is a clear linkage between the company’s culture and its financial performance.
- Policy makers are debating the linkage between climate goals and trade rules.
- The book explores the linkage between social media use and political attitudes.
Learner examples
- Scientists study the linkage between smoking and cancer.
- There is a clear linkage between exercise and good health.
- The teacher explained the linkage between language and culture.
- We must understand the linkage between cost and quality.
- This chart shows the linkage between time and sales.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
system of connected mechanical parts
A group of machine parts joined together so that movement in one part moves another part.
Usage pattern:
the [machine] linkage
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *linkage* with *link* when talking about machines. *Link* is usually a single part, while *linkage* is the whole system of connected parts.
Synonyms
mechanism (Broader; any working system of parts, not only those that specifically transmit movement through linked pieces.)
Antonyms
disconnection (Highlights that the parts are no longer joined so movement or force is not transmitted.)
Collocations
mechanical linkage
|steering linkage
|gear linkage
|brake linkage
|suspension linkage
|linkage system
Themes
engineering
|technology
|transport
Examples
- A worn steering linkage can make the car difficult to control.
- The engineer redesigned the linkage to reduce vibration in the machine.
- Dirt in the gear linkage was preventing the bike from shifting smoothly.
- Regular lubrication of the linkage will extend the life of the equipment.
- The robot arm uses a simple linkage to convert rotary motion into linear motion.
Learner examples
- The car has a problem with the steering linkage.
- He cleaned the gear linkage on his bicycle.
- This machine uses a metal linkage to move the arm.
- They checked the brake linkage before the race.
- The engineer showed us how the linkage works.
Noun
technical
C1
relation
3
genetic tendency of genes to co-inherit
In genetics, when genes that are close together on the same chromosome are usually passed from parent to child as a group.
Usage pattern:
genetic linkage between [genes]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *genetic linkage* with general ‘genetic relationship’. *Linkage* is a specific technical term about genes being close on a chromosome and inherited together, not just any family connection.
Synonyms
association (In genetics, ‘association’ is broader and often used in statistical studies; ‘linkage’ specifically involves genes on the same chromosome being inherited together.)
Antonyms
independence (In genetics, independent assortment means genes are inherited separately, which is the opposite of linkage.)
Collocations
genetic linkage
|linkage analysis
|linkage map
|linkage group
|linkage study
Themes
science
|biology
Examples
- The researchers used linkage analysis to identify the region of the genome associated with the disease.
- Tight genetic linkage between these markers suggests they lie close together on the chromosome.
- The study produced a high-resolution linkage map of the plant genome.
- Linkage between the two loci explains why these traits often appear together.
- They found evidence of linkage but not complete linkage disequilibrium in that region.
Learner examples
- Genetic linkage helps scientists find genes for diseases.
- When there is genetic linkage, some traits are inherited together.
- A linkage map shows the order of genes on a chromosome.
- The team studied linkage between two markers for the illness.
- Strong linkage means the genes are very close to each other.
Noun
formal
C1
action
4
tying different issues together in policy
In politics, a plan to connect two or more issues so that a deal on one issue depends on a deal on another issue.
Usage pattern:
linkage between [issues]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use of *linkage* is just a fancy word for *link*. In political and diplomatic writing, it refers to a specific strategy of tying issues together in negotiations, not just any simple connection.
Synonyms
coupling (Used more in specialist or theoretical writing; *linkage* is the normal policy term for tying issues together.)
Antonyms
decoupling (In policy language, ‘decoupling’ means intentionally separating issues so that one is not tied to another.)
Collocations
policy linkage
|issue linkage
|strategic linkage
|diplomatic linkage
|trade–security linkage
Themes
politics
|international_relations
Examples
- The administration rejected linkage between human rights and trade talks.
- Some diplomats argue that climate–security linkage can help mobilize more resources.
- The agreement was possible only after negotiators abandoned issue linkage and treated each topic separately.
- Critics say the proposed linkage between aid and migration control is unethical.
- Linkage became a central feature of their foreign policy strategy in the 1970s.
Learner examples
- Some leaders support linkage between trade and human rights.
- The country uses linkage to connect security talks and economic aid.
- Because of this linkage, they must agree on both issues at the same time.
- The minister said there is no linkage between the two agreements.
- Issue linkage can make international negotiations more complex.
Noun
technical
C2
action
5
linking program parts into one
In computer programming, joining different pieces of code so they work together in one program.
Usage pattern:
static/dynamic linkage of [modules or symbols]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *linkage* with *link* in general computing talk. In programming, *linkage* is a more formal term used in standards and technical documents, while *link* or *linking* is used more in everyday explanations.
Synonyms
linking (The more general everyday form; *linkage* is often used in more technical or standards-focused descriptions, especially in C and C++.)
Antonyms
isolation (Describes modules or symbols that are kept separate and not made visible to other parts of a program.)
Collocations
static linkage
|dynamic linkage
|external linkage
|internal linkage
|linkage specification
Themes
technology
|computing
Examples
- In C++, the linkage of a name determines whether it can be used in other translation units.
- The library is provided with static linkage by default.
- Incorrect linkage settings caused the application to fail at runtime.
- The standard specifies the external linkage of these functions.
- Dynamic linkage allows the program to load only the modules it needs.
Learner examples
- The error was caused by wrong linkage of the program files.
- Static linkage makes the program larger but easier to run.
- Dynamic linkage lets many programs share the same library.
- In this language, a function can have internal or external linkage.
- Good linkage settings are important when you build big software.
Grammar
Dictionary form
linkage
IPA
GB/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
US/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
link - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (link)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: linkage
- Plural: linkage, linkages
Word family
Forms
linkages
noun
Core family
link
noun B1
Related words
linker
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unlink
verb
Advanced or less common
linkable
adjective
interlink
verb
Expressions
backward linkage
1/bˈækwɚd lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
economic links to input suppliers
In economics, the way one industry supports earlier industries that supply it with materials, tools, or services.
Examples
- The mining sector has limited backward linkage to local suppliers.
- Policies that build backward linkage can help spread the benefits of foreign investment.
forward linkage
1/fˈɔɹwɚd lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
economic links to downstream sectors
In economics, the way one industry supports later industries that use its products as their inputs.
Examples
- Oil production has weak forward linkage to local manufacturing in many countries.
- Strong forward linkage means that growth in one sector benefits many downstream industries.
genetic linkage
1/d͡ʒənˈɛtɪk lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
inheritance of nearby genes together
A situation where genes that are close together on the same chromosome are usually passed from parent to child together.
Examples
- Genetic linkage can explain why certain diseases run strongly in some families.
- The scientists used genetic linkage to narrow down the location of the mutation.
issue linkage
1/ˈɪʃu lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
linking negotiation issues together
A strategy in talks or negotiations where two or more issues are tied together, so that a deal on one issue depends on a deal on another.
Examples
- Issue linkage helped the parties reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
- Some diplomats warn that too much issue linkage can block progress.
linkage between
1/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
phrase for a connection between things
Used to say that there is a clear connection or relationship between two or more things.
Examples
- Many studies show a strong linkage between exercise and mental health.
- The article discusses the linkage between digital skills and job opportunities.
linkage disequilibrium
1/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
non-random association of alleles
In genetics, a situation where certain versions of genes at different places on the chromosome appear together more or less often than expected by chance.
Examples
- They used patterns of linkage disequilibrium to fine-map the risk region.
- High linkage disequilibrium around the gene suggests a recent selective sweep.
linkage disequilibrium
1/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Nonrandom allele association
a genetics term for gene variants appearing together more often or less often than expected
Examples
- The researchers measured linkage disequilibrium between the two variants.
- Linkage disequilibrium can help scientists map genes associated with disease.
- In a large, mixed population, patterns of linkage disequilibrium may be complex.
mechanical linkage
1/mɪkˈænɪkəl lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
joined machine parts moving together
A group of machine parts that are joined so that movement in one part moves another part.
Examples
- The mechanical linkage converts the motor’s rotation into a straight-line motion.
- Regular oiling of the mechanical linkage is required to prevent wear.
policy linkage
1/pˈɑlɪsi lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
tying different policies together
When a government or organization connects two or more policy areas so that action in one depends on action in another.
Examples
- Critics argue that policy linkage between trade and security complicates negotiations.
- The minister denied any policy linkage between foreign aid and migration controls.