What does interconnection mean?
Interconnection means the linking of two or more things through a physical, technical, organizational, or social connection. It is especially common in discussions of electrical grids, telecommunications, computing networks, transport systems, and the relationships among institutions or communities. The word can describe the links themselves, as in “the interconnection of the two systems,” or the broader condition of being linked, as in “the growing interconnection of national economies.” Its basic sense is neutral, although discussions of interconnection often imply communication, coordination, and the possibility of exchanging information or resources. The related adjective “interconnected” is widely used in both formal and general contexts, while “interconnect” can function as a verb. Interconnection is consequently a useful term for describing systems whose importance depends not on isolated parts but on the relationships between them.
nounA connection or series of connections between two or more things, such as components, systems, networks, or people. The term can refer both to the physical or operational links themselves and to the relationship they create.
- A link or series of links connecting components, systems, organizations, or other entities.
- The state or process of being connected through such links.
- A network or arrangement of interconnected parts.
"The new software improves the interconnection of the company’s regional offices."
"Engineers are testing the interconnection between the new solar farm and the regional grid."
"The exhibition explores the interconnection of art, technology, and everyday life."
The plural is used when referring to several distinct links, connections, or systems of linked components.
"The report examines the interconnections between climate change, migration, and food security."
From power grids to social networks, interconnection is the basic idea behind systems that gain their strength by linking many parts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interconnection come from?
The word was formed in English by combining the Latin-derived prefix “inter-,” meaning “between” or “among,” with “connection,” which comes from Latin conexio, a joining or connecting. “Connection” and its British variant “connexion” thus share the same underlying Latin root, while the prefixed form developed to emphasize links between separate elements. The sense originally associated with physical and technological links later broadened to include economic, social, and institutional relationships.
Related word forms
How interconnection is actually used
The word is formal and technical in engineering, telecommunications, and energy contexts, but it is also used more broadly for economic, social, and cultural connections. In British English, “interconnection” is fully standard; “interconnection” and “interconnectedness” are sometimes preferred where the related adjective would be cumbersome.
Easily confused with interconnection
A connection is a single link or relationship, whereas an interconnection often emphasizes a network of links or the process or result of connecting different components.
Interconnection focuses on the links that allow components or systems to communicate, while integration emphasizes combining them into a unified whole.