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 This association dates back even further, however, to the original G.O.A.T himself, Muhammad Ali. Lilian Raji, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The association also encourages people to watch out for the warning signs of stroke. Sam Tupper, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024 Despite some reports, there is no association between creatine and acne development. Mark Gurarie, Health, 28 Oct. 2024 In the 1980s, some homeowners’ associations and municipalities started trying to curb the things. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for association 

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 31 Oct. 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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