Association — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən/ as·so·ci·a·tion

Meaning & Definition of Association

Association (noun)

  1. the act of associating
  2. the state of being associated, combination, relationship
  3. an organization of persons having a common interest, society

Association (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters)

    "the public television station is producing the series in association with a foundation for the arts"

    similar: affiliation, alliance, collaboration, confederation, connection, cooperation, hookup, liaison, linkup, partnership, relation, relationship, tie-up, union
    related: business, dealings, interaction, exchange, interconnection, interrelation, mutualism, reciprocity, symbiosis, incorporation, integration, merger, unification, affinity, attachment, closeness, intimacy, rapport, sympathy, kinship, oneness, solidarity, togetherness, unity, colleagueship, companionship, company, fellowship, bed, cahoots, league
    opposite: disaffiliation, dissociation
    near: breakup, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, separation, severance, split, alienation, divorce, estrangement

  2. a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest

    "all associations meeting on town property must be registered with and approved by the registrar's office"

    similar: board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild, institute, institution, league, order, organization, society, sodality
    related: collective, commune, community, cooperative, alliance, bloc, camp, coalition, partnership, body, cadre, group, circle, clan, clique, coterie, junta, junto, klatch, lot, set, crew, outfit, party, squad, team, branch, chapter, local, faithful, fold, membership, sisterhood, sorority, cabal, camarilla, camorra, confederacy, conspiracy, band, gang, ring, cartel, combine, syndicate

  3. the fact or state of having something in common

    "what's the association between cat hair and my allergic reaction to certain proteins?"

    similar: affinity, bearing, connection, kinship, liaison, linkage, relation, relationship
    related: correlation, interrelation, materiality, pertinence, relevance, bond, link, tie, affiliation, alliance, union, identicalness, sameness, alikeness, community, likeness, resemblance, similarity, accordance, agreement, conformity, congruity, correspondence
    near: variability, variance, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Association

The most common words with a similar meaning to Association:

affiliation, alliance, collaboration, confederation, connection, cooperation, hookup, liaison, linkup, partnership, relation, relationship, tie-up, union, board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild, institute, institution, league, order, organization, society, sodality, affinity, bearing, kinship, linkage

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Association

Words with the opposite meaning of Association:

disaffiliation, dissociation

Related Words for Association

business, dealings, interaction, exchange, interconnection, interrelation, mutualism, reciprocity, symbiosis, incorporation, integration, merger, unification, attachment, closeness, intimacy, rapport, sympathy, oneness, solidarity, togetherness, unity, colleagueship, companionship, company, bed, cahoots, collective, commune, community

Near Antonyms of Association

breakup, dissolution, disunion, division, parting, separation, severance, split, alienation, divorce, estrangement, variability, variance, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness

Word Forms of Association

Derived words: associational (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Association

First known use: 1535

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Association

Words & Phrases Containing Association

association area, association football, free association, parent-teacher association, savings and loan association, word-association test, in association with, interassociation

Frequently Asked Questions about Association

What does "Association" mean?

"Association" means the act of associating. As a noun, it is defined as: the act of associating. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Association"?

Other words for "Association" include affiliation, alliance, collaboration, confederation, connection, cooperation, hookup and liaison. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Association" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Association"?

There are 124 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Association". Common alternatives include affiliation, alliance, collaboration, confederation, connection, cooperation, hookup, liaison, linkup and partnership.

What is the opposite of "Association"?

Antonyms of "Association" include disaffiliation and dissociation. Near antonyms include breakup, dissolution, disunion and division.

How do you use "Association" in a sentence?

Examples of "Association" in a sentence: "the public television station is producing the series in association with a foundation for the arts"; "all associations meeting on town property must be registered with and approved by the registrar's office"; "what's the association between cat hair and my allergic reaction to certain proteins?".

Is "Association" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Association" is a noun.

Is "Association" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Association" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Association"?

"Association" is pronounced /ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən/ and divided into syllables as as·so·ci·a·tion.