association
uh-soh-shee-AYSHN
Association (noun) means a group of people organized for a shared purpose, such as a club or professional body. Example: “He is a member of the national teachers' association.”
noun
1
A group of people organized for a shared purpose, such as a club or professional body.
"He is a member of the national teachers' association."
"The village cricket association organises matches every summer weekend."
"She joined the local tenants' association."
2
A connection or link between two things, people, or ideas.
"Many people have a happy association between that song and their childhood holidays."
"Studies found an association between the two conditions."
"The brand has a strong association with luxury."
How to use association
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA connection between things, or an organized group of people with a shared purpose.
Common pairings
trade association
in association with
strong association
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like association.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- associations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He is a member of the national teachers' _____.
Etymology
From Latin associatio, from "associate" plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
disassociation
Related words
Rhymes for association
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for association →
Frequently asked questions
What does “association” mean?
The word “association” means a group of people organized for a shared purpose, such as a club or professional body. In plain terms, a connection between things, or an organized group of people with a shared purpose.
How do you pronounce “association”?
“Association” is pronounced uh-soh-shee-AYSHN (/əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “association” in a sentence?
Here is “association” used in a sentence: “She joined the local tenants' association.”
What is another word for “association”?
Words with a similar meaning to “association” include connection and ass'n.
What part of speech is “association”?
“Association” is a noun.
Where does the word “association” come from?
The word “association” comes from Latin. From Latin associatio, from "associate" plus the noun suffix "-ion".
Is “association” a common word?
“Association” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “association” have?
“Association” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of people organized for a shared purpose, such as a club or professional body.
What is the difference between an association and an organization?
An organization is any structured group working toward a goal, including companies and charities. An association is a specific kind of organization, usually made up of members who join voluntarily around a shared interest or profession. Every association is an organization, but not every organization is an association.
What are the types of associations?
Common types include professional associations that represent a trade or occupation, and trade associations that support businesses in an industry. Others include voluntary or community associations formed around a hobby or cause, residents' or housing associations, and alumni associations. Each brings members together around a shared purpose.
Is an association the same as a club?
They overlap but differ in tone. A club is usually informal and social, centred on a shared pastime. An association tends to be more formal and structured, often representing a profession or industry and sometimes holding official standing. A small hobby group is a club; a professional body is an association.
What is an example of an association?
A medical association representing doctors is a clear example, as is a bar association for lawyers or a football association governing the sport. Smaller examples include a residents' association or a parent-teacher association. Each is a group of people organized around a shared purpose or profession.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include association:
