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association
/əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
connection or relationship
Her association with the charity began five years ago.
She started working with the charity five years ago.
general
A connection or cooperative relationship between people or organizations
The association between the two companies led to a successful joint venture.
The partnership between the two companies resulted in a profitable collaboration.
Often used to describe formal or informal relationships.
psychology
A mental link between ideas or concepts
The psychologist studied the association between certain smells and childhood memories.
The researcher examined how specific scents triggered recollections of early life.
In psychology, this refers to how the mind connects different experiences or stimuli.
Business
formal
A group of people organized for a joint purpose, such as a professional or social organization
He joined the local business association to network with other entrepreneurs.
He became a member of the regional business group to connect with other business owners.
These organizations often have membership requirements and may serve professional or social functions.
Collocations
make an associationto connect or link something in one's mindprofessional associationan organization of people in the same professionfree associationa psychological technique where thoughts are expressed without censorship
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'association' can vary widely depending on whether it's used in a psychological, business, or general context.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
In formal contexts, 'association' often refers to organized groups, while in psychology, it describes mental connections.
Word Origin
From Middle French 'association' (14th century), from Latin 'associatio', meaning 'a joining together'.
Usage Notes
The word can refer to both literal and abstract connections, depending on the context.
Word Breakdown
assoc
to join or connect
root-ation
the act or process of
suffixEnglish Dictionary