alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

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

Synonyms of alliance

• treaty
• pact

Examples of alliance in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those competing interpretations of Saudi intent are now colliding most visibly in Yemen, where the Saudi-Emirati alliance originally formed to counter Iran’s Houthi proxy. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Since this alliance took shape, dysfunction has grown, trust has eroded, and outrage has spread. —Wanda James, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026

Greenland, as part of the Danish realm, is covered by NATO’s collective defense guarantees, meaning any use of force against it would reverberate across the alliance and risk a severe rupture in transatlantic relations. —Nik Popli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

As part of the alliance, Venezuela sent Cuba about fifty thousand barrels of oil a day, propping up an otherwise desperate economy. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for alliance

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids Definition

alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s 

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 

city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Canton population 22,322