- association
- noun1 an organizationADJECTIVE▪ international, local, national, regional, state▪ non-profit (esp. AmE), private, public, voluntary▪ arts, business, community, constituency (in the UK), consumer, housing, industry, library, neighbourhood/neighborhood, parent-teacher, political, professional, student, trade, etc.ASSOCIATION + VERB▪ meet▪
The association meets four times a year.
PREPOSITION▪ association for▪a professional association for music teachers
2 relationship between people/organizationsADJECTIVE▪ close▪ free▪It was to be a free association of equal partners.
▪ loose▪a loose association of sovereign states
▪ long, long-standing▪ personalVERB + ASSOCIATION▪ form▪ maintain▪They have maintained a close association with a college in the US.
PREPOSITION▪ in association with (= together with)▪The book was published in association with the university.
▪ association between▪the association between the two countries
▪ association with▪His association with such criminals can only destroy him.
PHRASES▪ freedom of association▪One of the most important political freedoms is freedom of association.
3 connection between thingsADJECTIVE▪ clear, close, direct, intimate, strong▪a close association between the two nations
▪ loose▪ early, long, traditional▪ formal▪ free▪the technique of free association, in which the patient is encouraged to say the first thing that comes to mind
VERB + ASSOCIATION▪ have▪The city has had a long association with the mining industry.
▪ form▪The dog forms an association between the action and the reward.
▪ demonstrate, find, prove, show▪The research showed an association between diet and various diseases.
▪ examine, observePREPOSITION▪ by association▪Dogs learn mainly by association.
▪ in association with (= together with)▪We are working in association with several NGOs.
▪ association between▪a clear association between good health and regular exercise
▪ association with▪the traditional association of the Democrats with minority interests
PHRASES▪ guilty by association, tainted by association▪He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime.
4 associations feelings/memoriesADJECTIVE▪ strong▪ happy, pleasant, positive▪ negative▪ cultural, historical, literary▪Tourists visit the city for its historical associations.
VERB + ASSOCIATIONS▪ have, hold (BrE)▪Does the name ‘Baxter’ have any associations for you?
▪ evoke, trigger▪The smell of fresh bread triggers all kinds of associations for me.
PREPOSITION▪ association for
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
