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

The association has been instrumental in lobbying for traffic lights, stop signs, and sidewalks and hosts health fairs. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2024

Across Florida, condo sellers have had to slash prices due to rising insurance and homeowners association costs. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024

His associations represent 817 buildings that would be impacted by one or both rules. —Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2024

The State Water Contractors, an association of 27 public agencies that purchase the water, reiterated its support for moving forward with the Delta Conveyance Project. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Hair historian Rachael Gibson suspects the association might be connected to ancient values of symmetry, which lend a straightforward appeal: Think Grant Wood’s American Gothic. —Thessaly La Force, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

The association backs enrichment programs at Schallenberger Elementary School, located at 1280 Koch Lane. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

The 114-page Historical Resources Technical Report, as its called, determined that the arena is eligible for all three registries based on its connection to an important period, its ties to a significant person and its association with a lauded architectural style. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024

In a specific format, the Multi-State Lottery Association said that the lottery association must receive all sales and player data from all 48 lottery states before conducting the Powerball drawing. —USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 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