Nexus
/ˈnɛksəs/
nounC1
Definition
Nexus means a central place or point where many things join, connect, or come together. It is often used to describe important connections between ideas, people, places, or events. It shows how different parts are linked in a system or situation.
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See It in Action
A central connection point where things meet or join
- •The city is a nexus of trade routes connecting different countries.
- •The internet acts as a nexus for communication worldwide.
- •This building is the nexus of the company’s operations.
A link or relationship between ideas, people, or events
- •There is a nexus between education and economic growth.
- •Scientists found a nexus between diet and health.
- •The story shows a nexus of events leading to the final outcome.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "nexus" like "link" (A1 word), but bigger and more important, like the main link that holds many parts together
- ✓Picture a busy city intersection where many roads meet and cars go in different directions
- ✓It's the feeling of being at the center of a group where everything connects and happens
- ✓Sounds like "neck-sus" → imagine a neck where the head and body connect, holding everything together
- ✓Think of a spider’s web center, where all the threads meet and connect in one spot
- ✓NOT like "chain" (a series of links in a line) — nexus is more like the place where many chains meet or cross
- ✓NOT like "point" (a single small spot) — nexus is a bigger area or idea of connection, not just one dot
Try Other Words
- •Connection: a relationship or joining between things (Use when talking about general joining or relationships)
- •Hub: a central place where activities happen or things connect (Use when emphasizing a physical or activity center)
- •Center: the middle point of something (Use when focusing on the exact middle or focus point)
- •Junction: a place where things meet or join, especially roads or paths (Use when talking about physical meeting points like roads or railways)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — "nexus" is a single root word
- •Etymology: From Latin "nexus," meaning "a binding together" or "connection"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to mean a connection or link, especially in abstract or physical senses
- •Modern usage: Common in academic, technical, and formal language to describe complex connections or central points in systems or ideas
Reflect & Connect
•How can understanding a nexus help you see the connections between different parts of your life or studies?
•Can you think of a place or situation in your daily life that acts as a nexus for many activities or people?
Fill in the blanks
1.The city became a ___ for trade because many roads and rivers ___ there.
2.Scientists study the ___ between smoking and lung disease to understand health risks.
3.The internet is a ___ that connects people worldwide through many ___.
4.Unlike a simple link, a ___ often involves many different parts coming ___.
5.The company’s headquarters serve as a ___ where all departments ___.
6.When ideas form a ___, they create a strong connection that influences ___.
7.A busy train station is a physical ___ where many routes ___ together.