1link 
/ˈlɪŋk/ verb
links; linked; link·ing /ˈlɪŋk/ verb 1 a : to join or connect (two or more things, places, etc.) together [+ obj] ▪ A bridge links the island to the mainland. ▪ The rooms are linked by hallways. ▪ He drew a line linking New York and/with/to Los Angeles on the map. ▪ She linked (up) the paper clips to form a chain. ▪ The elderly couple linked arms [=kept their bent arms hooked together at the elbow] as they walked down the street. [no obj] ▪ The pipe links (up) to/with the main gas line.
b : to connect (someone or something) to a system, network, etc. [+ obj] ▪ The network links several terminals. ▪ The computer is linked with/to the fax machine. ▪ providing equipment to link (up) students to the Internet [no obj] ▪ Guests can link (up) to the Internet from their hotel rooms. 2 a [+ obj] : to show or prove that a person or thing is related to or involved with something
▪ The study links high cholesterol levels to/with an increased risk of heart attacks. ▪ The police said that they have evidence linking him to these crimes.
b ◊A thing or person that is linked to/with something is connected or related to it in some way.
▪ High cholesterol is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. ▪ He denied that his business partner was in any way linked to the theft. ▪ Scientists have discovered a gene that is linked to/with [=involved in] the development of Alzheimer's disease. ▪ Your raise is linked to your job performance. [=your raise is related to your job performance; the size of your raise is related to how well you do your job] ▪ He argues that poverty is directly/indirectly linked to/with certain health problems. ▪ My fate is inextricably linked to hers. = Our fates are inextricably linked. 3 : to cause (different groups, countries, etc.) to be joined together [+ obj] ▪ The marriage of their children has linked the two families. ▪ These countries are linked in a loose confederation. [no obj] ▪ Her company recently linked (up) with three others to form a multinational association.
b : to connect (someone or something) to a system, network, etc. [+ obj] ▪ The network links several terminals. ▪ The computer is linked with/to the fax machine. ▪ providing equipment to link (up) students to the Internet [no obj] ▪ Guests can link (up) to the Internet from their hotel rooms.
▪ The study links high cholesterol levels to/with an increased risk of heart attacks. ▪ The police said that they have evidence linking him to these crimes.
b ◊A thing or person that is linked to/with something is connected or related to it in some way.
▪ High cholesterol is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. ▪ He denied that his business partner was in any way linked to the theft. ▪ Scientists have discovered a gene that is linked to/with [=involved in] the development of Alzheimer's disease. ▪ Your raise is linked to your job performance. [=your raise is related to your job performance; the size of your raise is related to how well you do your job] ▪ He argues that poverty is directly/indirectly linked to/with certain health problems. ▪ My fate is inextricably linked to hers. = Our fates are inextricably linked.
