alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

a

: the state of being allied : the action of allying

nations in close alliance

b

: a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals

a closer alliance between government and industry

2

: an association to further the common interests of the members

specifically : a confederation of nations by treaty

the alliance of Western nations

3

: union by relationship in qualities : affinity

an alliance of industry and academia

4

: a treaty of alliance

Synonyms of alliance

• treaty
• pact

Examples of alliance in a Sentence

We need to form a closer alliance between government and industry.

strengthen the alliance of western nations

There has been a pattern of shifting alliances in the political world.

The article condemns what some say is an unholy alliance between government and media.

one nation working in alliance with another

There is disagreement within the alliance about how to deal with this problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Present-day Michigan is the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi, Anishinaabe peoples forming the historic Council of Three Fires alliance, with the Indigenous presence pre-dating European settlements by more than 10,000 years. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025

In September, the company unveiled an alliance with Sky News, owned by parent Comcast, for international reportage. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

After that alliance ended, Stark transitioned into a new faction. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

In the harsh conditions there, what began as an informal alliance for protection soon became an organized network. —Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for alliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

1

: the state of being allied

2

a

: a union between persons, families, or parties

b

: a union between nations for assistance and protection

3

: a treaty of alliance

Geographical Definition

Alliance

geographical name

Al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Canton population 22,322