affiliate

The word “affiliate” means a person, company, or organisation formally connected to a larger group or network. In plain terms, as a noun, a connected branch or partner organisation; as a verb, to formally connect with a bigger group.

“Affiliate” is pronounced uh-FIHL-ee-uht (/əˈfɪl.i.ət/ in IPA).

Here is “affiliate” used in a sentence: “The local news station is an affiliate of a major national network.”

Depending on how it is used, “affiliate” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “affiliate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin affiliatus, "adopted as a son" — from ad- plus filius, "son.".

“Affiliate” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Affiliate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, company, or organisation formally connected to a larger group or network.

A subsidiary is a company owned or controlled by a parent company, while an affiliate is formally connected to a larger group without necessarily being controlled by it. In business usage, affiliate typically implies a looser link — a minority stake, a network membership, or a contractual relationship.

Both are correct. "Affiliated with" is the usual choice in American English and is common everywhere, while "affiliated to" is chiefly British. Whichever you choose, the structure is the same: a person or organisation is affiliated with (or to) a larger body.

In marketing, an affiliate is a person or company formally connected to a seller's network who promotes its products, typically earning a commission on the sales or sign-ups they generate. The arrangement is called affiliate marketing, and the links affiliates share are affiliate links.

Partner suggests a relationship between equals who share work, risk, or ownership, while affiliate suggests attachment to a larger organisation or network. A law firm's partners help own the firm; a TV network's affiliates are separate local stations connected to it.