association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-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

ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-shē-

adjective

Synonyms

• affiliation
• alliance
• collaboration
• confederation
• connection
• cooperation
• hookup
• liaison
• linkup
• partnership
• relation
• relationship
• tie-up
• union

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

One concern was that our association with kombucha could hold us back. —Dave Knox, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The star of its final show, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, draws from his past as a community muralist in New York in a suite of seven works that play with the physicality of painting—density, volume, optical perception—as well its historical associations. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 2024

Trump was repeatedly asked about his association with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has earned the ire of some Republicans for promoting conspiracy theories and bigoted rhetoric. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024

Black cats are tougher to adopt out, some shelter workers say and studies show — in part because of their association with bad luck. —Kathryn Varn, Axios, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see associate entry 1

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing association

• association area
• association football
• free association
• in association with
• inter-association
• parent-teacher association
• savings and loan association
• word-association test

Kids Definition

association

noun

as·​so·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-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- 

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

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

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