A link or connection between things; can also mean a tie or contact between people (a connector or intermediary).
機械のつなぎの部分が壊れて、生産が止まった。
A connecting part of the machine broke and production stopped.
彼は会社と職人のつなぎ役を長年務めている。
He has long served as the go-between connecting the company and craftsmen.
このプロジェクトにはチーム間のつなぎが必要だ。
This project needs connections/linking between teams.
A temporary filler or stopgap measure—something used to bridge a gap (e.g., temporary staff, interim funding).
今月のつなぎの資金が不足しているため、短期の融資を受けた。
Because short-term funds for this month were lacking, we took out a short-term loan.
欠員はつなぎで派遣社員に頼んだ。
We filled the vacancy temporarily with a temp worker.
大会までのつなぎの準備として簡単な資料を配った。
As stopgap preparation before the event, we distributed simple materials.
A thickener or binding agent used in cooking (e.g., egg, starch) to bind ingredients or add viscosity.
ハンバーグをふっくらさせるために、つなぎにパン粉と牛乳を使う。
To make the hamburgers fluffy, use breadcrumbs and milk as binders.
このソースは片栗粉をつなぎにして少しとろみをつける。
This sauce uses potato starch as a thickener to add some viscosity.
In finance, a hedging or temporary transaction to offset risk (a 'hedge').
輸出企業は為替リスクに備えてつなぎ取引を行った（＝ヘッジした）。
The exporting company executed hedging transactions to guard against currency risk.
ヘッジとしてのつなぎ売りを利用することがある。
Sometimes they use short hedging (tsunagi-uri) as a hedge.
A one-piece work garment (coveralls or overalls), commonly used in factories or maintenance work.
工場では安全のために作業員はつなぎを着用することになっている。
In the factory, workers are required to wear coveralls for safety.
バイクの整備をする時は油で汚れないようにつなぎを着る。
When servicing a motorcycle, wear coveralls so you don't get oily.
An intermission or short interval (often in kabuki), a short insertion between main acts.
歌舞伎では長い演目の合間につなぎが入り、舞台転換が行われる。
In kabuki, short interludes (tsunagi) occur between long pieces to allow for stage changes.
In the game of Go, a move or technique that connects stones—creating a link between groups (a 'connection').
その一手は相手の石とのつなぎになり、自分の形を安定させた。
That move served as a connection to the opponent's stones and stabilized our shape.