alliance

noun

al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce alliance (audio)
1
a
: the state of being allied : the action of allying
nations in close alliance
b
: a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals
a closer alliance between government and industry
2
: an association to further the common interests of the members
specifically : a confederation of nations by treaty
the alliance of Western nations
3
: union by relationship in qualities : affinity
an alliance of industry and academia
4
: a treaty of alliance

Examples of alliance in a Sentence

We need to form a closer alliance between government and industry. strengthen the alliance of western nations There has been a pattern of shifting alliances in the political world. The article condemns what some say is an unholy alliance between government and media. one nation working in alliance with another There is disagreement within the alliance about how to deal with this problem.
Recent Examples on the Web The alliance probably will not be a traditional majority coalition, in which the biggest parties of the country form a majority in the House of Representatives, agree on a coalition arrangement and then start governing together. Claire Moses, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The bill has revealed unconventional alliances in Washington. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Also backed by a groundbreaking and exemplary Spain-Catalonia-Sweden-Finland-Germany public broadcaster alliance. Marta Balaga, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The Socialist Party’s traditional rival is the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), which in December formed an alliance with two other conservative parties without parliamentary representation to fight in the March elections and combat the rise of Chega. Vasco Cotovio, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Buy Now: $45 Photo : Daniel Karmann/picture alliance via Getty Images FAQ What is absinthe? Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Israel and the United States can preserve Israel’s advantage by launching an official technological alliance. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 Kenzie, who had suggested an alliance with Jess earlier in the episode, threw out the idea of making and planting a fake hidden immunity idol for Jess to find. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 In September 2023, an alliance of Archway Equities and Virtú Investments, both real estate firms with decades in the business, paid slightly less than $74.3 million for The James apartments. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alliance.' 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 ally entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alliance was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near alliance

Cite this Entry

“Alliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alliance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alliance

noun
al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce alliance (audio)
1
: the state of being allied
2
a
: a union between persons, families, or parties
b
: a union between nations for assistance and protection
3
: a treaty of alliance

Geographical Definition

Alliance

geographical name

Al·​li·​ance ə-ˈlī-ən(t)s How to pronounce Alliance (audio)
city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Canton population 22,322

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