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 of association

• partnership
• collaboration
• relationship
• affiliation
• cooperation
• connection

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

In court, the association said since the 2023 announcement that the fee would be reduced, at least 8,755 Americans had paid the full $2,350 to renounce their citizenship. —Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Separate grant applications are available for block parties within a neighborhood association and for a mini grant for smaller gatherings. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026

NetChoice, a trade association representing internet and social media companies, is behind all three cases. —Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest for suspicion of misconduct in public office took everyone by surprise, mostly because Andrew’s association with Epstein had been known for years, and nothing had happened. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for association

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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