missing link
noun
1
: an absent member needed to complete a series or resolve a problem
2
a
: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between humans and their presumed simian progenitors
b
: a hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between one animal species or group and its presumed ancestors
a missing link between reptiles and birds
Examples of missing link in a Sentence
Police are hopeful that the new evidence will provide the missing links needed to solve the crime.
scientists searching for the missing link
Recent Examples on the Web
Neo is the missing link between Ted’s Zen-like stillness and John Wick’s lethal efficiency, giving us a hero’s journey for the 21st century that took from Luke Skywalker and anime with equal aplomb.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
Gain – when more energy is converted from the reaction than energy delivered to the fuel – has long been the missing link to full-scale commercial nuclear fusion.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Take the quiz here … ROOT CAUSE – Dietary mistake may be the missing link to stop hair shedding, thinning and breakage.
—FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The missing link for responsible AI With how quickly AI is continuing to change, the concerns and risks that come with the technology will only grow, and so too should the guidelines that are used to guide the technology.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing link
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
Gain – when more energy is converted from the reaction than energy delivered to the fuel – has long been the missing link to full-scale commercial nuclear fusion.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Take the quiz here … ROOT CAUSE – Dietary mistake may be the missing link to stop hair shedding, thinning and breakage.
—FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The missing link for responsible AI With how quickly AI is continuing to change, the concerns and risks that come with the technology will only grow, and so too should the guidelines that are used to guide the technology.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missing link
Cite this Entry
“Missing link.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missing%20link. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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