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
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
Brick Oliver, representing the homeowners association for the Cadence at Bainbridge, the development’s 55 and over community, said Thursday that 98% of respondents to the association’s survey opposed the In-N-Out.
—
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2025
But for Rodgers – who ran his best time in the two-mile his senior year at Wesleyan then stopped running – the association would pay off down the road.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
The association contends these actions violate state rules requiring public employers to bargain over such matters, infringing on deputies’ rights and the union’s ability to represent them.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Over time, the association grew stronger as both whiskey and golf spread across Europe.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for association
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Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2025
But for Rodgers – who ran his best time in the two-mile his senior year at Wesleyan then stopped running – the association would pay off down the road.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025
The association contends these actions violate state rules requiring public employers to bargain over such matters, infringing on deputies’ rights and the union’s ability to represent them.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Over time, the association grew stronger as both whiskey and golf spread across Europe.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for association
Cite this Entry
“Association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/association. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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