association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-shē-

1

a

: the act of associating

b

: the state of being associated : combination, relationship

had a long association with the firm

2

: an organization of persons having a common interest : society

an alumni association

3

: something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person

His former school has only negative associations for him.

4

: the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories

5

: the aggregation of chemical species (see species entry 1 sense 1e) to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound complexes (see complex entry 1 sense 3)

6

: a major unit in ecological community organization characterized by essential uniformity and usually by two or more dominant species

associational

ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-shē-

adjective

Synonyms

• affiliation
• alliance
• collaboration
• confederation
• connection
• cooperation
• hookup
• liaison
• linkup
• partnership
• relation
• relationship
• tie-up
• union

Examples of association in a Sentence

an association of local business leaders

They denied having any association with terrorists.

They have a long association with the school and have donated millions of dollars to it.

Recent Examples on the Web

This association dates back even further, however, to the original G.O.A.T himself, Muhammad Ali. —Lilian Raji, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The association also encourages people to watch out for the warning signs of stroke. —Sam Tupper, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

Despite some reports, there is no association between creatine and acne development. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 28 Oct. 2024

In the 1980s, some homeowners’ associations and municipalities started trying to curb the things. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see associate entry 1

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing association

• association area
• association football
• free association
• in association with
• inter-association
• parent-teacher association
• savings and loan association
• word-association test

Kids Definition

association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-ˌsō-shē-

1

: the act of associating : the state of being associated

2

: an organization of persons having a common interest

an athletic association

3

: a feeling, memory, or thought connected with a person, place, or thing

pleasant associations with the beach

4

: the formation of loosely bound groups of ions or molecules

Medical Definition

association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē- 

1

: the act of associating

2

: something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person

3

: the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories

4

: the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound chemical complexes compare polymerization sense 1

associational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

Legal Definition

association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion

1

: a group of persons who share common interests or a common purpose and who are organized with varying degrees of formality compare corporation

2

: the act of having contact or communication with or keeping company with another

freedom of association

3

: the sharing (as by an aider and abettor) in the criminal intent of a person who commits a crime