affiliation

noun

af·​fil·​i·​a·​tion ə-ˌfi-lē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce affiliation (audio)
plural affiliations
Synonyms of affiliation
: the state or relation of being closely associated or affiliated with a particular person, group, party, company, etc.
The radio station has maintained a longtime affiliation with the concert hall and often has featured performers as guests on the air.
A former Democrat, Joseph McCarthy had switched his affiliation and was elected in the Republican landslide of 1946 …—Ted Widmer
… hundreds of businessmen owe their success to an affiliation with organized crime.—William Bastone

Synonyms of affiliation

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Examples of affiliation in a Sentence

the Little League team, despite its name, the Northern Dynamites, has no affiliation with the Northern Dynamite Company
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The affiliation will unify operations and allow sharing of best practices and expertise, according to a release from both operations on Friday. — John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026 Pew’s latest Religious Landscape Study found that 62% of US adults identified as Christian in 2023-24, while 29% had no religious affiliation. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 The group has—so far unsuccessfully—called on both the NCAA and Big 12 to end the affiliation, arguing against universities participating in a youth-facing marketing campaign for energy drinks. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026 That made London City the first fully independent women’s club (one without an affiliation to a men’s team) to reach the WSL. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for affiliation

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of affiliation was in 1791

Rhymes for affiliation

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Browse Nearby Words

affiliate marketing
affiliation
affiliation order
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Affiliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affiliation. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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