associate

verb

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as·so·ci·ate | \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt

, -sē-\

associated; associating

Definition of associate

(Entry 1 of 3)

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.

associate

noun

as·so·ciate | \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət

, -sē-, -ˌāt, -shət\

Definition of associate (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : one associated with another: such as

a : partner, colleague business associates

b : companion, comrade a close associate during his college years

2a : 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

associate

adjective

as·so·ciate | \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ət

, -sē-, -ˌāt, -shət\

Definition of associate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from associate Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about associate

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Choose the Right Synonym for associate

Verb

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

Examples of associate in a Sentence

Verb I no longer wish to be associated with people like him. She associates herself with some pretty strange people. Noun Her associates respected her for her hard work. She started as an associate at the law firm. Adjective 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 on the Web: Verb Recent studies showed that the beta-secretase inhibitor verubecestat did not slow down cognitive decline and was associated with several side effects in those with mild or moderate Alzheimer’s. — Mayo Clinic News Network, chicagotribune.com, "Alzheimer’s treatments: What’s on the horizon?," 6 Nov. 2019 Other studies found being an only or last-born child was associated with obesity, possibly due to the ways that parents behaved during mealtimes: less praise, more association with food as a reward and more negative control over food choices. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Only children are more likely to be obese, study says," 6 Nov. 2019 The former displayed a stronger response in their perigenual anterior cingulate cortex, which regulates the amygdala and is associated with stress and negative emotion. — Sam Rigby, Quartz, "The Scottish city trying to make urban living less miserable," 2 Nov. 2019 What’s more, several studies have shown that debt of other types—including credit-card or auto loans—are strongly associated with serious issues like poorer mental health, mental disorders, depression, and drug dependency. — Lila Maclellan, Quartz at Work, "It’s time to talk about the mental health effects of student loan debt," 28 Oct. 2019 Though the tumor is benign, its location may obstruct blood flow and is often associated with arrhythmias — or abnormal heart rhythms — and ventricular tachycardia, according to Boston Children’s Hospital. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, "Baby with Rare Heart Tumor Awoke from Coma Smiling — and Now He Needs Life-Saving Surgery," 25 Oct. 2019 For his study, published in July, Ribeiro and his coauthors examined more othan 330,000 YouTube videos from 360 channels, mostly associated with far right ideology. — Wired, "Maybe It’s Not YouTube’s Algorithm That Radicalizes People," 23 Oct. 2019 There are no celebrity cameos in The Politician, but the vast wealth associated with them is hard to ignore—and everyone's father seems to be dripping in cash. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "What Ryan Murphy’s The Politician Gets Right About the Elite World of LA Private Schools," 19 Oct. 2019 The retired, civilian-registered plane was associated with the Collings Foundation, an educational group that brought its Wings of Freedom vintage aircraft display to the airport. — Michael Melia, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Fuel in fatal B-17 crash wasn’t contaminated, report says," 15 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun At the same time, authorities are investigating the lobbying practices of ComEd and Exelon and have raided the homes of close associates of House Speaker Michael Madigan, sources have told the Tribune. — Dan Petrella, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois House Republicans push ethics proposals in response to ongoing federal corruption probe," 7 Nov. 2019 On Monday, House Democrats leading the inquiry publicly released the first transcripts from their closed-door interviews, airing concerns from witnesses about the activities of President Trump's associates related to Ukraine. — Fox News, "Elections in four states could measure power of Trump, preview 2020; Iran's latest break from nuke deal," 5 Nov. 2019 It is believed that Baghdadi went to great lengths to bolster his security, moving around often and only meeting with his closest circle of associates. — Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, "ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. Here are 6 things you need to know," 28 Oct. 2019 Only 30 states have articulation agreements that guarantee the transfer of core community college credits and the associate degree upon enrolling at a state university. — Justin Ortagus, The Conversation, "Community colleges open the door to selective universities," 23 Oct. 2019 James, who was Miss Congeniality last year, is a Fountain Valley High School graduate and is enrolled at an undisclosed local college working toward an associate degree in communications studies, according to her competition bio. — Julia Sclafani, Daily Pilot, "Miss Huntington Beach crown goes to former two-time runner-up," 23 Oct. 2019 Two of Giuliani's associates who were involved in his Ukraine work were indicted on federal campaign finance charges last week. — Emily Tillett, Kathryn Watson, CBS News, "Top diplomats testify in impeachment probe — live updates," 16 Oct. 2019 Firtash has established close ties to the former mayor of New York City in part by recruiting several of Giuliani’s associates. — Simon Shuster, Time, "Exclusive: How a Ukrainian Oligarch Wanted by U.S. Authorities Helped Giuliani Attack Biden," 15 Oct. 2019 To many, the incident epitomized a dynamic common in the academy, where male scholars have long taken credit for the work of female associates. — Scott W. Stern, The New Republic, "How War Made the Cigarette," 25 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Wofford promoted associate head coach Jay McAuley to take over Young’s job. — Noah Trister, chicagotribune.com, "Tip Ins: Juwan Howard, Jerry Stackhouse among the new coaches to watch," 2 Nov. 2019 Dax Rankine, who is the head coach of the Cobras 10U squad, previously served as the pitching coach at Palm Beach State College during the spring of 2011 and also was the team’s associate head coach from 2012 to 2013. — Alex Kushel, sun-sentinel.com, "West Boynton Travel Cobras team up with Palm Beach State College," 1 Nov. 2019 Wofford promoted associate head coach Jay McAuley to take over Young's job. — Noah Trister, courant.com, "Howard, Stackhouse among the new college basketball coaches to watch," 1 Nov. 2019 Martelli serves in an all-encompassing role as the associate head coach. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Why Michigan basketball's coaches are working in an 'egoless' environment," 18 Oct. 2019 Former assistant coach David Vanterpool, who joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as associate head coach in the offseason, was in charge of the Blazers’ defense last year. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive, "Pau Gasol recovering from injury, Neil Olshey talks about Jody Allen’s commitment to Blazers: Portland Trail Blazers media day highlights," 1 Oct. 2019 At the University of Cincinnati, Justin Ferguson has been promoted to associate head coach under head coach Hylton Dayes. — Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "The Touchline Newsletter, Issue No. 3: Positivity at FC Cincinnati, MLS expansion, USWNT," 15 Aug. 2019 Coutreyer was the associate head coach under Nickelberry for the Bison for several years. — David Driver, baltimoresun.com, "Laurel resident stays on with Howard basketball," 1 Aug. 2019 Kaski was heavily scouted by Jiri Fischer, associate director of player personnel, along with former general manager Ken Holland, and signed after the 2019 World Championship. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "How new Detroit Red Wings forward Adam Erne can earn a roster spot," 15 Sep. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

11 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for associate

The first known use of associate was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for associate

associate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of associate

(Entry 1 of 3)

: 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

noun

English Language Learners Definition of associate (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of associate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

See the full definition for associate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

associate

verb

as·so·ci·ate | \ ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt

associated; associating

Kids Definition of associate

(Entry 1 of 3)

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\

Kids Definition of associate (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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\

Kids Definition of associate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

associate

verb

as·so·ci·ate | \ ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt

associated; associating

Medical Definition of associate

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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 (Entry 3 of 3)

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

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associate

noun

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