noun
reference; example; instance cited
Most often used in the fixed expression 引き合いに出す, meaning to cite something as an example, comparison, or supporting reference.
彼は成功例としてその会社を引き合いに出した。
He cited that company as an example of success.
noun
business inquiry; commercial enquiry; expression of interest
Business use for an inquiry or approach about a product, order, deal, or possible transaction; common with 引き合いがある, 引き合いが来る, and 引き合いを受ける.
新製品について、海外の代理店から多くの引き合いが来ている。
Many inquiries about the new product are coming in from overseas distributors.
noun
summons to court; witness
Legal or older-document use for being called to appear in court, or for a witness; not a common everyday meaning, and modern Japanese would usually use more explicit legal terms such as 呼び出し or 証人.
法律関係の古い文脈では、「引き合い」が裁判への呼び出しや証人を指すことがある。
In older legal contexts, 引き合い can refer to a summons to court or to a witness.
noun
pulling against each other; pulling from both ends
Literal noun sense from the idea of opposing pulls. This meaning is much less common than the citation and business-inquiry uses; in everyday speech, 引っ張り合い is often clearer for physical pulling.
綱引きの説明で「両側からの引き合い」と言えば、双方が反対方向に引くことを指す。
In an explanation of tug-of-war, 両側からの引き合い refers to both sides pulling in opposite directions.