association

as·so·ci·a·tion

noun \ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē-\

Definition of ASSOCIATION

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 1

—as·so·ci·a·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-^əl\ adjective