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

And the state already offers protection for political affiliation for certain things, including housing rights and employment, Davies said. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

The top four vote-getters in the August primary will advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation. —Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026

There were no political signs outside the house Friday, and Ross’ political affiliation is unknown. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026

The confirmation of Pratt’s political affiliation came as endorsements flowed in from across the country — and not from Democrats, for the most part. —Los Angeles Times, 10 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