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 Byrd had a decades-long association and friendship with Manilow. Paul Grein, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2024 My primary association with quantum computing is the 90s sci-fi show Quantum Leap. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Here's why Arizona coal plant communities lose out on millions in economic transition funding Can our homeowners association stop us from putting up a 'For Sale By Owner' sign? Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Critics of the measure include taxpayers associations, disability and mental health advocacy groups, and conservative county boards, such as Placer and El Dorado. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Can a sweater or a dress declare that America—or at least Americana—can be kind of great, without risking association with the rabid MAGA hordes? Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 But the association promptly distanced itself from the event. Valeria Verbaro, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 The association is working on ways the New York City Council might amend the law to allow these smaller hosts to operate short-term rentals. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 According to the car dealers association, registrations for all vehicles in the third quarter (451,889) were lower than in the second quarter (475,480) and the fourth-quarter numbers (426,150) were lower than the third quarter. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'association.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near association

Cite this Entry

“Association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/association. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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