alliance
uh-LEYE-uhns
Alliance (noun) means a formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal. Example: “The two nations formed a military alliance against a common enemy.”
noun
1
A formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal.
"The two nations formed a military alliance against a common enemy."
"The two companies entered into a business alliance to develop the new technology."
"Several small farms formed an alliance to sell their produce at a better rate."
2
A close relationship or connection more generally.
"The two neighbours formed a warm alliance after years of helping each other."
"There is a strong alliance between the school and the local library."
"Their alliance was cemented by years of mutual trust."
How to use alliance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA partnership formed for mutual benefit, whether between countries, businesses, or people.
Common pairings
form an alliance
military alliance
strategic alliance
enter into an alliance
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Word forms
- Plural
- alliances
- Third person singular
- alliances
- Past tense
- allianced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two nations formed a military _____ against a common enemy.
Etymology
From Old French aliance, built on the verb alier, "to bind together" — the same root as the word "ally."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for alliance
See all rhymes for alliance →Frequently asked questions
What does “alliance” mean?
The word “alliance” means a formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal. In plain terms, a partnership formed for mutual benefit, whether between countries, businesses, or people.
How do you pronounce “alliance”?
“Alliance” is pronounced uh-LEYE-uhns (/əˈlaɪ.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “alliance” in a sentence?
Here is “alliance” used in a sentence: “The two nations formed a military alliance against a common enemy.”
What part of speech is “alliance”?
“Alliance” is a noun.
Where does the word “alliance” come from?
The word “alliance” comes from Old French. From Old French aliance, built on the verb alier, "to bind together" — the same root as the word "ally.".
Is “alliance” a common word?
“Alliance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “alliance” have?
“Alliance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal.
What is the difference between an alliance and a coalition?
An alliance is usually a longer-term, formal partnership based on shared interests, often sealed by a treaty, like a military alliance. A coalition tends to be a looser, temporary grouping formed to achieve one specific goal, such as a coalition government. Alliances imply deeper, more lasting commitment.
What are the types of alliances?
Common types include military alliances, such as defence pacts; political alliances between parties or nations; and business or strategic alliances, where companies cooperate for mutual gain. There are also personal and social alliances between individuals or groups. All share the idea of joining forces toward a common purpose.
What is an example of an alliance?
A well-known example is NATO, a military alliance in which member countries agree to defend one another. Other examples include trade alliances between nations, alliances between political parties to form a government, and business alliances where two companies partner on a project. Each unites separate parties for a shared goal.
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