Plain English Meaning

The physical parts that connect what you move in the cockpit to what actually moves on the airplane. When you pull back on the yoke, a chain of rods, cables, and pivots carries that motion all the way out to the elevator.

Full Definition

Mechanical connections — typically rods, cables, bellcranks, pulleys, hinges, and pushrods — that transmit movement from a control input to the component it operates. In aviation, linkages connect cockpit controls (yoke, rudder pedals, throttle, mixture, flap handle, trim wheel) to the surfaces or systems they actuate.