associate

verb as·so·ci·ate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt , -sē- \

Definition of associate

associated; associating

transitive verb

1 :to join as a partner, friend, or companion

They were closely associated with each other during the war.

2 :to join or connect together :combine

particles of gold associated with heavy minerals

3 :to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)

She will always associate that place with her youth.

4 obsolete :to keep company with :attend

intransitive verb

1 :to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions

was accused of associating with known criminals

2 :to combine or join with other parts :unite

Protons, neutrons, and electrons associate together to form atoms.

See associate defined for English-language learners

See associate defined for kids

Examples of associate in a Sentence

I no longer wish to be associated with people like him.
She associates herself with some pretty strange people.

Recent Examples of associate from the Web

Diaz said Miami-Dade is weighing a number of factors, including the impact the change would have on teachers and traffic patterns, as well as the costs associated with changing school schedules.

— kyra gurney, miamiherald, "Letting teen students sleep in could be $9 billion boost for Florida economy, study says," 30 Aug. 2017
The city, which absorbs all fees associated with credit card payments — more than $40,000 so far this year, is proposing to begin charging people who pay their city property tax and utility bills using credit cards.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Students safety on minds in Aberdeen as schools prepare to open," 29 Aug. 2017
SCE is required to spend $4 million in consultant fees and other costs associated with the provisions in the settlement.

— rob nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Court settlement looks to move nuclear waste from San Onofre," 28 Aug. 2017
One parent said Bell's remarks were an example of the stigma associated with children with disabilities and welcomed the opportunity to have an open discussion with the board.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Mobile police looking for missing man who jumped fence of group home for pack of cigarettes," 25 Aug. 2017
What's more, the feeling of bliss associated with adventures lasts longer, too.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Why Spending Your Money on Experiences—Not Things—Will Make You Happier," 24 Aug. 2017
The sounds of ’60s psychedelia are here, yet not the questing, form-free sensibility associated with psychedelics.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Classic-Rock Ecstasy of The War on Drugs," 23 Aug. 2017
Margaret Margaret is another name associated with the British royal family—specifically, the Queen's late sister, Princess Margaret.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "12 Old-Fashioned Girl Names That Are Ready for a Comeback," 21 Aug. 2017
For one, there is some evidence to suggest that people with high anxiety sensitivity also may be unusually sensitive to interoceptive cues — that is, physiological signals, and perhaps especially those associated with anxiety, like a pounding heart.

— melissa dahl, The Cut, "Was Anyone Else Worried They Were Accidentally Going to Look Directly at the Eclipse?," 21 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'associate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of associate

Middle English associat associated, from Latin associatus, past participle of associare to unite, from ad- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

associate Synonyms

Synonyms

chum, company, consociate, consort, fraternize, hang (around or out), hobnob, hook up, mess around, pal (around), run, sort, travel, be friends with, fall in with, keep company (with), rub elbows (with) or rub shoulders (with), take up with

Antonyms

break up, dissever, part, section, separate, sever, split, sunder, unlink

Related Words

affiliate, ally, attach, band, bond, club, collaborate, collude, confederate, conjoin, connect, cooperate, couple, gang, get along, get on, group, interrelate, join, knot, league, link, mingle, mix, rally, relate, side, socialize, team, tie, wed; befriend, friend

Near Antonyms

avoid, cold-shoulder, shun, snub; alienate, estrange; break up, disband, disperse, split (up); disjoin, dissociate, disunite, divorce, sever, split, sunder

Synonym Discussion of associate

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union. join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

- joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

- combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

- the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

- a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

- a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

- opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

- related what he observed to what he already knew

associate

noun as·so·ciate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət , -sē- , -ˌāt , -shət \

Definition of associate

1 :one associated with another: such as

a :partner, colleague

business associates

b :companion, comrade

a close associate during his college years

2 a :an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession)

an associate of the Royal Academy

b :employee, worker

3 often capitalized :a degree conferred especially by a junior college

associate in arts

—

associateship

play \-ˌship\ noun

See associate defined for English-language learners

Examples of associate in a Sentence

Her associates respected her for her hard work.
She started as an associate at the law firm.

Recent Examples of associate from the Web

Witness Cassie Arner, Auburn's associate athletics director for strategic communications, correcting what Jacobs told AL.com's James Crepea on April 27 about the March 30 resignation of Corey Myers.

— kevin scarbinsky, AL.com, "Jay Jacobs fails to communicate on Clint Myers and Auburn softball," 30 Aug. 2017
But Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation has reportedly moved past merely looking at collusion and into investigating the Trump Organization as well as the work of Trump associates for a range of possible violations of law.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Trump's Business Dealings Come Back to Haunt Him," 29 Aug. 2017
None of Belk’s stores were in the path of the storm, and no associates are known to be impacted, Izquierdo added.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte companies lend a hand with Harvey relief," 29 Aug. 2017
Fernández of Rational Vaccines said another SIU professor, Edward Gershburg, an associate professor in the university’s Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, has agreed to become the company’s chief technical officer.

— marisa taylor, Kaiser Health News, "Offshore Human Testing Of Herpes Vaccine Stokes Debate Over U.S. Safety Rules," 28 Aug. 2017
The school corporation cannot collect both tuition and state support for transfer students and the state funding is slightly higher, said Julie Lauck, associate superintendent.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Valparaiso schools opt for state funding over tuition," 25 Aug. 2017
A search of his cellphone revealed alleged associates.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Feds in San Diego bust alleged drug-trafficking, money-laundering ring," 24 Aug. 2017
Sullivan’s previous posts include assistant principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra, associate principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and the Charleston (S.C.) Symphony and member of the U.S. Air Force Band.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Symphony fills critical vacancies, returns to pre-recession size," 24 Aug. 2017
One exists in proximity to root tips and associates with hardwood trees and conifers.

— adrian higgins, idahostatesman, "The zoo beneath our feet: We’re only beginning to understand soil’s hidden world," 23 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of associate

see ¹associate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

See Words from the same year

associate Synonyms

Synonyms

cohort, companion, compatriot, compeer, comrade, crony, fellow, hobnobber, mate, running mate

associate

adjective as·so·ciate \ same as ²associate \

Definition of associate

1 :closely connected (as in function or office) with another :sharing in responsibility or authority

associate judges

2 :having secondary or subordinate status

associate membership in a society

3 :closely related especially in the mind

faith and its associate virtues

See associate defined for English-language learners

Examples of associate in a Sentence

He's an associate member of the club but he hopes to become a full member soon.
She was promoted from assistant editor to associate editor and may soon be promoted to senior editor.

Recent Examples of associate from the Web

The missing names include none other than Karlie Kloss, Ruby Rose, and Lorde, who had previously been part of the tight-knit group, but seem to no longer associate with the blonde singer.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Taylor Swift's Squad Shirt Doesn't Include Lorde, Karlie Kloss and Lena Dunham," 28 Aug. 2017
David Konisky, associate professor of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington, said the Climate Science Special Report largely confirmed what most people already knew.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "Climate report validates global warming warnings; Indiana experts weigh in," 10 Aug. 2017
Matthew Lange, an associate professor of psychology at Lewis University in Romeoville, was shot to death Jan. 27 while waiting in his car to pick up his son at Scullen Middle School.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "Parents of man slain outside Naperville middle school locked in court fight to visit grandson," 29 July 2017
Market value: $75 While many of us associate coral with Florida retirement homes, makeup artists equate the color with summer — and rightly so.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "7 of the Best Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Products Now on Sale," 21 July 2017
But the more important gap—in relative power—between the associate attorney general and her boss, the deputy attorney general, could shorten in a hurry.

— chris smith, The Hive, "The Trump Obstruction Case Is Gathering Momentum," 22 June 2017
U of L associate head coach Kenny Johnson was spotted watching Langford at the tryouts.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville basketball | Cards' 2018 pledges shine at NBPA Top 100 Camp," 19 June 2017
If Rosenstein were out of the picture, responsibility for overseeing Mueller’s investigation -- and deciding his fate -- would fall to Rachel Brand, the department’s associate attorney general.

— chris strohm, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Could Force Out Rosenstein, Fail to Stop Russia Probe," 16 June 2017
Were Rosenstein to concur and recuse himself from oversight of the special counsel, the duty would fall to Rachel Brand, associate attorney general.

— philip bump, Washington Post, "The key questions raised by one 111-character Trump tweet," 16 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of associate

see ¹associate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

ASSOCIATE Defined for English Language Learners

associate

verb

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

: to think of one person or thing when you think of another person or thing
: to be together with another person or group as friends, partners, etc.

associate

adjective

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

: having a rank or position that is below the highest level in a group, organization, etc.

associate

noun

Definition of associate for English Language Learners

: a person who you work with or spend time with
: a member of a group or organization who is at a level that is below the highest level

ASSOCIATE Defined for Kids

associate

verb as·so·ci·ate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt \

Definition of associate for Students

associated; associating

1 :to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions

He associates with some interesting people.

2 :to connect in thought

I associate hot chocolate with winter.

associate

adjective as·so·ciate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət , -shət \

Definition of associate for Students

:having a rank or position that is below the highest level

an associate member of the club

associate

noun as·so·ciate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət , -shət \

Definition of associate for Students

1 :a person who you work with or spend time with

business associates

Medical Dictionary

associate

verb as·so·ci·ate \ ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt \

medical Definition of associate

associated; associating

transitive verb

1 :to join or connect (things) together

2 :to bring together in a relationship

infectious disease associated with a rise in body temperature

intransitive verb

1 :to combine or join with other parts

fibrils of the sensory neurons associate with motor neurons
—S. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone

2 :to engage in free association

the patient associated freely about his childhood

associate

adjective as·so·ciate \ ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ət, -shət, -s(h)ē-ˌāt \

medical Definition of associate

:ranking immediately below the senior or chief position

associate clinical professor of medicine

associate medical examiner

associate

noun as·so·ciate \ like₂ \

medical Definition of associate

1 :a research worker or teacher affiliated with a professional organization or institution and ranking below a professor or full member

a research associate in pathology

2 often capitalized :a degree conferred especially by a junior college

an Associate in Technical Arts degree in nursing
—Skagit Valley College Catalog

Law Dictionary

associate

noun as·so·ciate \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-ət, -shət \

legal Definition of associate

:a lawyer employed by a law firm — compare partner

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associate

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associateship

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associate

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ASSOCIATE Defined for English Language Learners

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associate

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associate

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associate

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associate

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