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

While discussions on Greenland and the broader transatlantic alliance are taking up a lot of the international oxygen ahead of Tuesday’s elections, the talk at home is focused more on economic concerns. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

Slotkin says her office is working to protect those programs in the upcoming farm bill and broaden alliances to ensure urban growers are represented at the federal level. —Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

American lives have been saved by the NATO alliance, and American lives will be lost in great numbers without it. —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

In his new alliance with the groups, some of whose views are considered extreme, the government began to significantly redefine the nation’s foreign and domestic policies. —Karel Janicek, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 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