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

• alliance
• association
• collaboration
• confederation
• connection
• cooperation
• hookup
• liaison
• linkup
• partnership
• relation
• relationship
• tie-up
• union

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

No, Tesla's recent fall from grace is under no uncertain terms the result of its eccentric CEO's affiliation with the President of the United States. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

The White House’s claims about Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliation are based mostly on one confidential tip. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025

Democratic lawmakers have disputed Abrego Garcia’s gang affiliation. —Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2025

Musk’s affiliation with Trump and far-right politics has sent Tesla’s reputation cratering. —Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 23 Apr. 2025

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