1. be in contact with someone or bond with them
Professional
Social
connect with people/audience/client
To 'connect with someone' means to make contact with or to build a relationship with them in some meaningful way. You could 'connect with' a colleague who enjoys the same hobbies as you for example. You might 'connect with' a speech you heard that has had an impact on you. This is an idiomatic expression that is used in social and professional contexts.