association
association
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling
/əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/ (General American) or /əˌsəʊsiˈeɪʃən/ (Received Pronunciation)
a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")
sso - /ˌsoʊ/ or /ˌsəʊ/ (as in "so," secondary stress)
ci - /si/ (as in "see")
a - /ˈeɪ/ (as in "say," primary stress)
tion - /ʃən/ (as in "nation" or "motion")
Word Form Variations
Association" primarily functions as a noun.
Noun:
Singular: association
Plural: associations
Related forms (but not direct variations of "association" itself):
Verb: associate
Adjective: associated, associative
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A group of people organized for a common purpose, interest, or activity; an organization or society.
Synonyms: organization, society, club, league, federation, institute, guild, union
Antonyms: disunion, separation, dissolution, disbandment
A connection or relationship between things or people; a link in the mind between ideas, feelings, or sensations.
Synonyms: connection, link, relationship, correlation, bond, tie, rapport, affinity
Antonyms: disconnection, separation, dissociation, irrelevance, disjunction
The act of associating or the state of being associated; companionship or fellowship.
Synonyms: companionship, fellowship, camaraderie, fraternization, communion, interaction
Antonyms: solitude, isolation, detachment, estrangement
Examples of Use
Books:
"He recalled the bitter taste of defeat, an association he had tried to bury deep within his memory." (Fictitious example, to illustrate a common literary use of linking ideas or experiences.)
Newspapers:
"The National Teachers' Association has called for a nationwide strike to protest proposed budget cuts to education." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"New research explores the strong association between consistent exercise and improved mental health outcomes." (Psychology Today online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Welcome, agents, to the Global Paranormal Association – your new home for unexplained phenomena!" (Dialogue from a video game, Control, 2019)
"The band's early music had a strong association with the punk rock scene of the late 70s." (Music documentary on Netflix, Punk Rock Rewind, 2023)
"Today, we're discussing the surprising association between sleep deprivation and cravings for junk food." (Podcast episode, "Health Bytes," June 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm a member of the local homeowners' association."
"There's a strong association between smoking and lung disease."
"He's been keeping bad association lately."
"My first association with that song is always my childhood summer holidays."
10 Quotes Using Association
"The freedom of association is a fundamental human right." (Common phrase in human rights discourse and international law)
"We are defined by our associations." (Common philosophical sentiment, emphasizing the impact of chosen company)
"A strong association among members leads to collective strength and purpose." (Common principle in organizational theory and community building)
"There is a clear statistical association between consistent exercise and improved cognitive function." (Common phrase in scientific or health reporting)
"The word 'liberty' carries a powerful association with the pursuit of happiness." (Common linguistic or philosophical observation)
"Bad association corrupts good morals." (A common proverb, adapted from 1 Corinthians 15:33 for strict adherence to "association")
"Our lives are a tapestry woven from countless associations and connections." (A common poetic metaphor for human relationships)
"His first association with the melody was a vivid memory from childhood." (Common psychological or personal descriptive phrase)
"The association between wealth and happiness is often debated, but rarely proven." (A common topic of philosophical or sociological discussion)
"To achieve great things, form strong associations with like-minded individuals." (A common motivational adage)
Etymology
The word "association" describes a group of people or a connection between things. Its history comes from a Latin word about joining or being united.
It comes from the Latin verb "associāre," which meant "to join to," "to unite," or "to connect with." This Latin verb is formed from two parts:
"ad-": a Latin prefix meaning "to" or "at."
"socius": a Latin noun meaning "companion," "ally," or "partner" (which also gives us words like "social" and "society").
So, "associāre" literally meant "to join as a companion" or "to unite with."
The word "association" entered the English language from Late Latin ("associatio") or Old French ("association") in the mid-15th century (around the 1400s).
The first known use and meaning of "association" in English was very much in line with its Latin roots: the act of joining together or the state of being connected, especially for a common purpose. It referred to both the formal linking of people (like a group or society) and the mental linking of ideas.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Association
Homeowners' association (a formal organization of property owners in a residential area)
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) (a formal organization for parents and teachers)
Professional association (a group of people in a particular profession)
Free association (a technique in psychoanalysis where a patient speaks whatever comes to mind)
Word association (a game or test where one responds to a word with the first word that comes to mind)
Guilt by association (the attribution of guilt to someone based on their connection to a wrongdoer)
Positive association (a favorable connection or link between ideas or things)
Negative association (an unfavorable or unpleasant connection)
Break from an association (to end a connection or relationship with a group)
Close association (a strong or intimate connection)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of association from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
