affiliation

noun

af·​fil·​i·​a·​tion ə-ˌfi-lē-ˈā-shən 

plural affiliations

: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.

The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.

A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 …

—Ted Widmer

… hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.

—William Bastone

Synonyms of affiliation

• association
• partnership
• relationship
• collaboration
• cooperation
• connection

Examples of affiliation in a Sentence

the Little League team, despite its name, the Northern Dynamites, has no affiliation with the Northern Dynamite Company

Recent Examples on the Web

Criticism of the fees varied significantly by gender, party affiliation and education level. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. —Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026

For the nine years ending in FY25, the Minutemen wandered in college sports’ wilderness without a football conference affiliation, assuming full responsibility for the team’s scheduling and media rights. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Usually depending upon party affiliation. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for affiliation

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