What does association mean?
An association is a connection or link between two or more people, ideas, memories, or things, or an organized group formed around a shared purpose. The word operates on both a mental and a social level: psychologically, it describes the way one thought or sensation calls another to mind — the smell of rain may carry an association with home; in civic life, it names bodies such as trade associations, professional associations, and homeowners' associations, where members unite to pursue common goals. It also covers looser ties, as when someone is judged by their associations, meaning the company they keep. Derived from the Latin verb associare, 'to join with,' via late Latin and Old French, the word entered English in the sixteenth century. Its register is neutral: equally at home in psychology papers, legal documents, and casual conversation. Related phrases like 'in association with' signal collaboration or sponsorship, making the word essential for describing both invisible links in the mind and visible alliances in society.
nounA connection or link between people, ideas, or things; also, an organized group of people who share a common purpose and act together.
- A mental connection or link formed between ideas, memories, or feelings.
- An organized body of people united for a common purpose.
- The act of associating or the state of being connected or affiliated with someone or something.
"The smell of fresh bread evoked a warm association with her grandmother's kitchen."
"She joined the local homeowners' association to help improve neighborhood safety."
"For him, the scent of pine carried a strong association with childhood summers at the lake."
The plural is regular and common, especially when referring to multiple organizations (professional associations) or multiple mental connections (fond associations).
"Several international associations collaborated on the research project."
The word 'association' comes from the same Latin root as 'social' — socius, meaning 'companion' — so every association is, literally, a joining of companions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of association
Association derives from the Latin verb associare, meaning 'to join with' or 'to unite,' formed from ad- ('to') plus sociare ('to join'), which itself comes from socius, meaning 'companion' or 'ally.' The word passed through late Latin associatio and Old French before entering English in the sixteenth century. It shares its root with words such as 'social,' 'society,' and 'associate,' all ultimately tracing back to that Latin notion of companionship.
Related word forms
How association is actually used
'Association' is neutral in tone and common in both formal and everyday contexts. In legal and organizational settings it often names formal bodies (e.g., 'the American Bar Association'), while in psychology it describes learned links between stimuli. The phrase 'in association with' is a fixed formula used to indicate partnership or sponsorship.
Easily confused with association
Association refers to a connection or link between things, while assimilation refers to the process of absorbing or integrating into a larger group or system.