association

[əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən]

association Definition

  • 1an organization of people with a common purpose and having a formal structure
  • 2a mental connection or relation between thoughts, feelings, ideas, or sensations

Using association: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "association" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She is a member of the local historical association.

  • Example

    The association is dedicated to promoting environmental awareness.

  • Example

    The study found a strong association between smoking and lung cancer.

association Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for association

Phrases with association

  • a psychoanalytic technique in which a patient is encouraged to speak freely about whatever comes to mind, without censoring or editing their thoughts

    Example

    The therapist used free association to help the patient uncover repressed memories.

  • a form of football played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with a goal at each end

    Example

    Association football is also known as soccer in some countries.

  • the outer layer of the brain that is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as perception, thought, and memory

    Example

    Damage to the association cortex can result in cognitive deficits.

Origins of association

from Latin 'associatio', meaning 'a joining or connecting'

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Summary: association in Brief

An 'association' [əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən] can refer to an organization of people with a common purpose and formal structure, such as a club or society. It can also denote a mental connection or relation between thoughts, feelings, ideas, or sensations. Examples include 'She is a member of the local historical association' and 'The study found a strong association between smoking and lung cancer.' Phrases like 'free association' and 'association football' use 'association' in specific contexts, while 'association cortex' refers to the outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.

How do native speakers use this expression?