PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS DEFINITIONS
Plain-English meanings for all 16 words from the September 18, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle. No hints, categories or answers.
A soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping or resting.
A cushion used for comfort or decoration on furniture.
A term for a supportive or comforting person or thing.
A type of protective padding in sports or packaging.
The term can also be used metaphorically or as part of brand names.
To travel smoothly and steadily, often at a moderate speed, typically by vehicle or boat.
A vacation trip on a ship for pleasure.
To move around casually or aimlessly, often in a vehicle.
To engage in a continuous, effortless activity or process.
The term can refer to travel, leisure activities, or informal movement and is also used as a name or brand.
Located above or higher than something else.
In typography, written in capital letters.
In anatomy, referring to the upper part of the body or an organ.
In sports, a team or player from a higher division or league.
Can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb depending on context.
A flat surface or riser on a staircase that you step on to move between different levels.
A single movement made by lifting the foot and putting it down in a new position while walking or running.
A stage or phase in a process or series of actions.
An organized dance movement or routine performed in sequence.
The term can also be used as an acronym, a brand name, or slang in various contexts.
The act of moving through the air using wings or an aircraft.
A scheduled journey by airplane or other aircraft.
The act of running away or escaping from danger.
A set of stairs between two floors.
The term can refer to travel, movement, or structures and is also used in various idiomatic expressions.
A set of steps that allow people to go from one level of a building or structure to another.
A single step within a staircase.
To climb or ascend using steps.
A term used in some sports to describe a sequence of movements resembling steps.
Can refer to physical steps, actions resembling stepping, or be used metaphorically in various contexts.
A large flat dish or plate used for serving food.
A type of vinyl record format, typically a flat disc.
A rotating tray inside a hard disk drive where data is stored.
A meal consisting of various foods arranged on a single large plate.
The term can refer to objects in dining, technology, or music contexts.
The act of coming down and touching the ground or another surface after being in the air.
A flat area at the top of a staircase or between flights of stairs.
The process of arriving at a destination, especially by plane or boat.
A place where boats can dock or unload passengers and cargo.
The term can refer to physical actions, architectural features, or locations related to arrival or docking.
Shaped like or approximately like a circle or sphere.
A single complete trip or circuit around something.
A stage or part of a competition or game.
Having a smooth, curved shape without sharp angles.
The term can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb in various contexts.
A raised platform where performances, presentations, or events take place.
A distinct phase or step in a process or development.
An area in a theater where actors perform.
To organize and present an event or activity.
The term can refer to physical locations, phases in processes, or actions of organizing events.
The act of an aircraft leaving the ground and beginning to fly.
The moment when a person or thing suddenly becomes successful or popular.
The removal or subtraction of something, such as in construction or accounting.
A comedic imitation or parody of someone or something.
The term can be used in aviation, business, entertainment, and other contexts.
A mixture or assortment of different things, often combined into one entity.
A musical piece composed of parts of various songs played one after another.
A swimming race where different strokes are used in sequence.
A dish made by combining various ingredients, such as fruits or vegetables.
The term can refer to music, food, sports, or general mixtures.
A concise summary or statement that presents the main points clearly and quickly.
A set of instructions or information given to someone, especially in a professional context.
A type of men's underwear that is short and tight-fitting.
To give someone instructions or information in a concise manner.
The term can be used as a noun, adjective, or verb, and may also appear as a brand name or in legal contexts.
The act of getting on or entering a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
Providing someone with regular meals and a place to stay, as in boarding school or boarding house.
The process of installing or fixing something onto a surface, such as boarding up windows.
The act of jumping onto a moving vehicle or object, often used in sports like skateboarding or snowboarding.
The term can be used as a noun or verb and appears in contexts related to travel, accommodation, construction, and sports.
A device or tool used to take a representative portion of a material or signal for analysis or reproduction.
An electronic instrument that records and plays back sound clips.
A piece of embroidery showcasing various stitches and patterns.
A collection of music tracks from different artists compiled into one album.
The term can refer to equipment, artistic works, or collections in different contexts.
A distinct stage or step in a process or cycle.
A particular appearance or state of something at a specific time, especially in science (e.g., phases of the moon).
A region within a material that has uniform physical and chemical properties.
To carry out gradually or in stages, as in 'to phase in' a new system.
The term can be used in scientific, technical, and everyday contexts.