allyship

noun

al·​ly·​ship ˈa-ˌlī-ˌship How to pronounce allyship (audio)
ə-ˈlī-
: the state or condition of being an ally : supportive association with another person or group
The rest of the third season of House of Cards details a fumbled allyship between the Russian president and President Frank Underwood.R. A. Farley
specifically : such association with the members of a marginalized or mistreated group to which one does not belong
The actress also shared how her allyship with the LGBT community played a part in her interest in playing Shelly Pfefferman in "Transparent." Mariah Cooper
Poor allyship is speaking over marginalized people by taking credit and receiving recognition for arguments that the unprivileged have been making for their entire lives. Hallie Sebastian
… there are even more brands this year who've created timely, Pride-themed products and initiatives that help you celebrate and show your support through glitter-packed campaigns and social-media rallies, and, most importantly, turn your product purchase into an act of allyship. Samatha Sasso

Examples of allyship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, seemingly assisting Israel in an act of allyship. Meredith Kile, People.com, 24 June 2025 This shift coincides with growing LGBTQ+ distrust of corporate allyship and increased public acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Thanks to courses in communication studies, students are schooled in the evolving business models of the creative industries, and dive into allyship and advocacy through sound studies and the school’s eminence in audiology. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025 The future of wellness entails a thorough synergy and allyship with the human body. Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for allyship

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allyship was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allyship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allyship. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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!