# nexus

/ˈnɛksəs/ (US) · /nˈɛksəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nexus
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a connection or link

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a connection or link between different things.

For teachers: a means of connection; a link or tie between individuals, things, or ideas.

- The report explores the nexus between poverty and poor health in big cities.
- The study aims to illuminate the complex nexus between environmental degradation and global migration patterns over the last century.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'of'.

### 2. a central point

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the central point or most important part of a network or group.

For teachers: a connected group or network, or the central focus where these connections meet.

- The city became a nexus for trade and culture in the region.
- The capital city serves as the financial nexus of the country, where all major banking and investment decisions are concentrated.

### 3. legal tax connection

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a connection that a business has with a place that allows the government to tax it.

For teachers: a sufficient physical or economic presence within a jurisdiction that allows a taxing authority to impose taxes on a business.

- The company had to pay local taxes because it had a physical nexus in that state.
- Establishing a tax nexus in multiple jurisdictions requires a sophisticated understanding of varying state statutes regarding digital commerce.

### 4. linguistic unit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a group of words that express a complete thought together.

For teachers: a group of words expressing two concepts in one unit, such as a subject and a predicate.

- In this grammar theory, the relationship between a subject and a verb is called a nexus.
- Jespersen distinguished between a junction, like 'the blue sky', and a nexus, such as 'the sky is blue'.

## Examples

- The city is a nexus for trade and culture.
- The new transport hub serves as a nexus for trains, buses, and international flights.
- The university campus became a nexus of political activism and intellectual debate during the late twentieth century, influencing policy decisions at the highest levels of government.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.