Associationa formal group or organization, or a connection among different things usually means a relationshipthe way two or more people or things are connected or connection between people, ideas, or things. It can also mean a formal group or organizationa group formed to work together for a purpose.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌæsəˈsoʊʃən/
Easy pronunciation: AS-uh-SOH-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the third syllable: SOH.
Used for the sense of a social or business relationship.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Association Meaning
a connection between people, groups, or organizations
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a social or business relationship
Example: She has long-standing associations with several local charities.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- affiliation — A suitable substitute when the sense is a formal relationship or connection with a group.
- tie — Works in the sense of a connection or link between people or organizations.
- tie-up — Can work for a business relationship or partnership, but is more specific and less common.
- connection — A strong general substitute when the meaning is a relationship between people or things.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Association
Meaning 2
linking things together in the mind
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination
Example: People often make an association between that song and summer holidays.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- connection — Works when referring to a mental link between ideas or memories.
- connexion — An old-fashioned spelling of connection; acceptable as a lexical synonym but rarely used today.
Meaning 3
an official group or organization
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a formal organization of people or groups of people
Example: She joined the national teachers' association.
Meaning 4
a link between things that occur together or depend on each other
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a relation resulting from interaction or dependence
Example: There is a clear association between exercise and better health.
Meaning 5
a weak chemical joining together
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (chemistry) any process of combination (especially in solution) that depends on relatively weak chemical bonding
Example: The association of the molecules is weak and temporary.
Meaning 6
a community of plants and animals in one area
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (ecology) a group of organisms (plants and animals) that live together in a certain geographical region and constitute a community with a few dominant species
Example: This forest association includes several dominant tree species.
Meaning 7
the act of mixing or joining with other people
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of consorting with or joining with others
Example: His association with the wrong crowd caused problems.
Meaning 8
the state of being mentally linked
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the state of being connected together as in memory or imagination
Example: The smell has strong associations with childhood.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Association Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- connection
- affiliation
- tie
a formal organization of people or groups of people
- organization
- group
the process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination
- connection
- connexion
a relation resulting from interaction or dependence
- connection
the act of consorting with or joining with others
- company
- companionship
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse association with dissociation or disassociation, which mean separation or lack of connection.
- Association can mean a relationship, a mental link, or an organization, so the right synonym depends on the sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does association mean?
Association usually means a connection or relationship between people, groups, ideas, or things. It can also mean an official organization.
What is the best synonym for association?
The best synonym depends on the sense. For a general connection, connection is often the closest substitute. For a formal link with a group, affiliation can work.
Is association the same as organization?
Not always. Association can mean an organization, but it more often means a relationship or connection.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.