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
Gelder had a lengthy and successful career in theater and had a long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and London’s Globe Theater.
—
Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
Cultural centers and ethnic student associations also serve as support systems for international student populations.
—Alysa Guffey, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for association 
Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
Cultural centers and ethnic student associations also serve as support systems for international student populations.
—Alysa Guffey, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 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.
Dictionary Entries Near association
Cite this Entry
“Association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/association. Accessed 16 May. 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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