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
Synonyms
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
In a specific format, the Multi-State Lottery Association said that the lottery association must receive all sales and player data from all 48 lottery states before conducting the Powerball drawing.
—
USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Homeowners associations are essentially quasi-governments.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In San Francisco, gas cost $5.71 per gallon on average, the association said, and Santa Rosa residents were playing an average of $5.68 a gallon.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
Knowing a local archaeological group had helped in various local initiatives, the farmer called the association for help to search for the missing piece.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
The association is made up of over 1,000 technicians.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
The headpiece is sentimental for its close association with the late Queen Elizabeth, who wore the sparkler many times throughout her record 70-year reign and is even included in her depiction on some British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The authors said this was consistent with findings from previous studies showing associations between lower mammography use and HRSNs, including lower educational attainment and income, not having a usual source of health care and being uninsured.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Clark has emerged as a generationally talented star who now ranks as the highest-scoring NCAA basketball player in the association’s history, male or female.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Homeowners associations are essentially quasi-governments.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In San Francisco, gas cost $5.71 per gallon on average, the association said, and Santa Rosa residents were playing an average of $5.68 a gallon.
—Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
Knowing a local archaeological group had helped in various local initiatives, the farmer called the association for help to search for the missing piece.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
The association is made up of over 1,000 technicians.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
The headpiece is sentimental for its close association with the late Queen Elizabeth, who wore the sparkler many times throughout her record 70-year reign and is even included in her depiction on some British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The authors said this was consistent with findings from previous studies showing associations between lower mammography use and HRSNs, including lower educational attainment and income, not having a usual source of health care and being uninsured.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Clark has emerged as a generationally talented star who now ranks as the highest-scoring NCAA basketball player in the association’s history, male or female.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near association
Cite this Entry
“Association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/association. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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