Dictionary

association

noun as·so·ci·a·tion \ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē-\

: an organized group of people who have the same interest, job, etc.

: a connection or relationship between things or people

: a feeling, memory, or thought that is connected to a person, place, or thing

Full Definition of ASSOCIATION

1
a :  the act of associating
b :  the state of being associated :  combination, relationship
2
:  an organization of persons having a common interest :  society
3
:  something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person
4
:  the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
5
:  the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound complexes
6
:  a major unit in ecological community organization characterized by essential uniformity and usually by two or more dominant species
as·so·ci·a·tion·al \-sh(ə-)nəl\ adjective
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of ASSOCIATION

1535

Rhymes with ASSOCIATION

abbreviation, abomination, acceleration, accentuation, accommodation, accreditation, acculturation, accumulation, actualization, adjudication, administration, adulteration, affiliation, agglomeration, alienation, alleviation, alliteration, amalgamation, amelioration, amplification, anglicization, annihilation, annunciation, anticipation, appreciation, appropriation, approximation, argumentation, articulation, asphyxiation, assassination, asseveration, assimilation, atomization, attenuation, authentication, authorization, autoxidation, balkanization, bastardization, beautification, bowdlerization, calcification, canonization, capitulation, centralization, certification, cicatrization, civilization, clarification, classification, coagulation, codification, coeducation, cogeneration, cohabitation, collaboration, colonization, colorization, commemoration, commiseration, communication, concatenation, conciliation, confabulation, confederation, configuration, conglomeration, congratulation, consideration, consolidation, contamination, continuation, cooperation, coordination, corroboration, cross-pollination, crystallization, deactivation, debilitation, decapitation, deceleration, deconsecration, de-escalation, defenestration, defibrillation, deforestation, defragmentation, degeneration, deification, deliberation, delineation, demonization, denomination, denunciation, depopulation, depreciation, deracination, deregulation, desegregation, despoliation, determination, devaluation, digitization, disapprobation, discoloration, discrimination, disembarkation, disinclination, disinformation, disintegration, Disneyfication, dissemination, dissimulation, dissociation, documentation, domestication, dramatization, echolocation, edification, ejaculation, elaboration, elimination, elucidation, emaciation, emancipation, emasculation, enumeration, enunciation, equalization, equivocation, eradication, evacuation, evaluation, evaporation, evisceration, exaggeration, examination, exasperation, exhilaration, exoneration, expropriation, extenuation, extermination, extrapolation, facilitation, falsification, felicitation, feminization, fertilization, feudalization, finalization, Finlandization, formalization, fortification, fossilization, gasification, gentrification, gesticulation, globalization, glorification, gratification, habituation, hallucination, harmonization, humanization, humiliation, hyperinflation, idolization, illumination, imagination, impersonation, implementation, improvisation, inauguration, incarceration, incineration, incorporation, incrimination, indoctrination, inebriation, infatuation, initiation, inoculation, insemination, insinuation, instrumentation, internalization, interpretation, interrelation, interrogation, intimidation, intoxication, invagination, invalidation, investigation, invigoration, irradiation, itemization, justification, legalization, liberalization, magnetization, magnification, maladaptation, manifestation, manipulation, matriculation, maximization, mechanization, memorization, miscegenation, mobilization, modernization, modification, mortification, multiplication, mystification, nationalization, naturalization, negotiation, normalization, notification, novelization, nullification, obliteration, organization, origination, orientation, ornamentation, ossification, oxygenation, pacification, paralyzation, participation, pasteurization, perambulation, peregrination, perpetuation, personalization, petrification, polarization, pontification, precipitation, predestination, prefabrication, prefiguration, premeditation, preoccupation, preordination, preregistration, prettification, privatization, procrastination, prognostication, proliferation, propitiation, purification, qualification, ramification, randomization, ratification, realization, reciprocation, recombination, recommendation, recrimination, recuperation, redecoration, reduplication, reforestation, refrigeration, regeneration, regimentation, regurgitation, reification, reincarnation, reintegration, reiteration, rejuvenation, remuneration, renunciation, repatriation, representation, republication, repudiation, retaliation, reverberation, sanctification, scarification, sedimentation, sensitization, Serbo-Croatian, signification, simplification, socialization, solicitation, sophistication, specialization, specification, stabilization, standardization, sterilization, stratification, subordination, subpopulation, supplementation, synchronization, systemization, teleportation, tergiversation, transfiguration, transliteration, transvaluation, triangulation, uglification, unification, unionization, urbanization, verification, versification, victimization, vilification, vituperation, vocalization, vulgarization, westernization, x-radiation
ASSOCIATION Defined for Kids

association

noun as·so·ci·a·tion \ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē-\

Definition of ASSOCIATION for Kids

1
:  a connection or relationship between things or people <She studied the association between sugar intake and cavity formation.>
2
:  an organization of persons having a common interest <an athletic association>
3
:  a feeling, memory, or thought connected with a person, place, or thing <His grandparents' old house had happy associations for him.>
Medical Dictionary

association

noun as·so·ci·a·tion \ə-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən, -shē-\

Medical Definition of ASSOCIATION

1
:  the act of associating
2
:  something linked in memory or imagination with a thing or person
3
:  the process of forming mental connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
4
:  the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with hydrogen bonds) loosely bound chemical complexes—compare polymerization 1
as·so·ci·a·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-əl\ adjective
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears