association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce association (audio)
-shē-
1
a
: the act of associating
b
: the state of being associated : combination, relationship
had a long association with the firm
2
: an organization of persons having a common interest : society
an alumni association
3
: something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person
His former school has only negative associations for him.
4
: the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
5
: the aggregation of chemical species (see species entry 1 sense 1e) to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound complexes (see complex entry 1 sense 3)
6
: a major unit in ecological community organization characterized by essential uniformity and usually by two or more dominant species
associational adjective

Examples of association in a Sentence

an association of local business leaders They denied having any association with terrorists. They have a long association with the school and have donated millions of dollars to it.
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.
Recent research has sparked new concerns over its side effects, including a possible association with neurodegeneration. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025 The chapters are organized as brief essays extending from an event that triggers thoughts and associations which Li gathers, not necessarily to make sense of — because this is sometimes not possible — but to notice. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025 Designating two people at the popular neighborhood association to check each other on the task of distributing millions in this age of technology would have spared a vibrant neighborhood a lot of consequences. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025 The trial attorneys’ association is not opposed to changes in the law, as long as victims’ rights aren’t curtailed, said Nancy Peverini, legislative director for California Consumer Attorneys. Calmatters, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for association

Word History

Etymology

see associate entry 1

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of association was in 1535

Cite this Entry

“Association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/association. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

association

noun
as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce association (audio)
-ˌsō-shē-
1
: the act of associating : the state of being associated
2
: an organization of persons having a common interest
an athletic association
3
: a feeling, memory, or thought connected with a person, place, or thing
pleasant associations with the beach
4
: the formation of loosely bound groups of ions or molecules

Medical Definition

association

noun
as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē- How to pronounce association (audio)
1
: the act of associating
2
: something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person
3
: the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
4
: the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound chemical complexes compare polymerization sense 1
associational adjective

Legal Definition

association

noun
as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion
1
: a group of persons who share common interests or a common purpose and who are organized with varying degrees of formality compare corporation
2
: the act of having contact or communication with or keeping company with another
freedom of association
3
: the sharing (as by an aider and abettor) in the criminal intent of a person who commits a crime

More from Merriam-Webster on association

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