affiliation

noun

af·​fil·​i·​a·​tion ə-ˌfi-lē-ˈā-shən 

plural affiliations

: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.

The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.

A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 …

—Ted Widmer

… hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.

—William Bastone

Synonyms of affiliation

• association
• partnership
• relationship
• collaboration
• cooperation
• connection

Examples of affiliation in a Sentence

the Little League team, despite its name, the Northern Dynamites, has no affiliation with the Northern Dynamite Company

Recent Examples on the Web

When audiences can easily identify a publisher's ownership, affiliations, editorial orientation and reporting history, they are better equipped to evaluate information on its merits. — Jeremy Fields, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Formed on July 1, this new public health system represents more than a simple affiliation between two respected organizations. — Pradeep Khosla, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Thomas Adam does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

If you're already registered to vote in Florida, July 20 is also the deadline to make any changes to your registration, including party affiliation, according to the Florida Department of State. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for affiliation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation