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
At the same time, many advocates have been uneasy with some of his decisions – including Ulbricht’s pardon – that reinforce crypto’s long association with fraud.
—
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The negative press association with this dukedom is not a positive step.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Not everyone stepping up to the mic has a long association.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
At an association meeting Thursday, about 30 residents discussed the I-77 plan and their next steps.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for association
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Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The negative press association with this dukedom is not a positive step.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Not everyone stepping up to the mic has a long association.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
At an association meeting Thursday, about 30 residents discussed the I-77 plan and their next steps.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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