alliance

Sayuh-LY-uhns/əˈlaɪ.əns/

8 meanings of alliance

1
nouncountable
A close link between groups, families, or countries that agree to help each other.
Like two teams agreeing to work together so each one is stronger.
The two countries formed an alliance to defend each other.
Their families built a lasting alliance through several marriages.
Similarunion, pact, league, coalition, partnership
Note
2
noununcountable
The condition of being joined together with others as partners.
Like being on the same team, where you trust each other to help.
The small states lived in alliance for many years.
Working in alliance, the groups shared their tools and food.
Similarpartnership, association, union
Note
3
nouncountable
The act of joining together with others to form a partnership.
Like shaking hands to become partners.
Their alliance happened quickly once both sides saw the danger.
The alliance of the two parties surprised everyone.
Similarunion, merger
4
nouncountable or uncountable
The people or groups that have joined together as partners.
Like all the members of a club, seen together as one group.
The whole alliance met to choose a single leader.
The alliance agreed to share the cost of the new road.
Similarcoalition, league, bloc, federation
Note
5
nouncountable
A close link between things that are alike in some way.
Like how two colors can match even though they are different.
There is a natural alliance between music and poetry.
Scientists noticed an alliance between the two ideas.
Similaraffinity, kinship, connection, bond
Note

Less common meanings

6
noundatedIndiacountable or uncountable
A marriage, seen as a union that joins two families.
Like joining two families into one through a wedding.
Her alliance to the duke pleased both families greatly.
The alliance brought two old houses together at last.
Similarmarriage, union, match
Note
7
noundatedcountable or uncountable
A grouping of several related orders of living things, used in older science books.
Like a big folder holding several smaller folders of living things.
The old textbook grouped these orders into one alliance.
Plants of the same alliance share many features.
Similarcohort
Note
8
verbobsolete
To join people or groups together through a formal agreement.
Like tying two ropes together so they hold as one.
The king sought to alliance his house with the northern lords.
They hoped to alliance the two cities in lasting friendship.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance. It comes from the word ally plus -ance.