alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce alliance (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters perform in Nuremberg | Credit: Daniel Vogl/picture alliance via Getty Josh Freese is currently serving as the band's drummer, joining Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, and Rami Jaffee on tour. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 June 2023 Ministerial alliances are not unique to Middletown. Courtney E. Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2023 The setting for Blinken’s address was intended to highlight the changes that Russia’s invasion has brought to Europe, including Finland’s decision to abandon longtime military nonalignment to join the NATO alliance. Missy Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2023 The politics of imperialism are complex and made for what seem today strange alliances. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 2 June 2023 This year’s edition will be held at the Freemasons Hall in the city of churches, through a long-term alliance with the South Australian government. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 31 May 2023 That opening chapter is a ferocious depiction of the workshop as this whirling centrifuge of personal antagonisms and egos and shifting alliances, out of which the occasional piece of art is flung like shrapnel, and Seamus both rages against and compulsively participates in this dynamic. Hazlitt, 31 May 2023 The apparent tensions raises uncertainty about the status of OPEC+, the alliance between OPEC members like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait and non-OPEC nations led by Russia. Matt Egan, CNN, 30 May 2023 In the runup to the election, Erdogan held off approving Sweden's entry into the NATO alliance — part of a Western effort to isolate Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. Suzan Fraser And Zeynep Bilginsoy, ajc, 29 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alliance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see ally entry 1

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alliance was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near alliance

Cite this Entry

“Alliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alliance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

alliance

noun
al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce alliance (audio)
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 How to pronounce Alliance (audio)
city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Canton population 22,322

More from Merriam-Webster on alliance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!