hookup

American  

[hook-uhp] / ˈhʊkˌʌp /

noun

1. an act or instance of hooking up.

2. an assembly and connection of parts, components, or apparatus into a circuit, network, machine, or system.

3. the circuit, network, machine, or system so formed.

4. a device or connection, as a plug, hose, or pipe, for conveying electricity, a water supply, etc., from a source to a user.

   Some campsites have electrical hookups for trailers.

5. Informal. an association, alliance, or cooperative effort.

   A closer hookup of Caribbean nations would be good for international trade.

6. Informal.

   1. a sexual encounter without a long-term commitment.

      I’m over these college boys who are only interested in meaningless hookups.

   2. a person with whom one has such an encounter.

      I ran into an old hookup at the club, but I pretended not to remember her.

7. Slang.

   1. a supplier of illicit goods, usually drugs.

      My hookup is getting out of the game—can you introduce me to your guy?

   2. access to illegal drugs.

      When you are trying to score on the street it is easy to see who has the hookup.

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Etymology

Origin of hookup

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase hook up

Related Words

• connection
• interconnection
• linkage