DictionaryAI

liaison

lee-AY-zahn/liˈeɪˌzɑn/UKlee-AY-zon/liˈeɪˌzɒ̃/

Pluralliaisons

6 meanings of liaison

Practice

  1. 1
    contact personnouncountable
    A person who passes information back and forth between two groups or organizations.

    She serves as the hospital's liaison to patients' families, explaining updates from the medical team.

    The city appointed a liaison between the police department and local business owners.

    UsageA liaison between two groups, or to or with one: the hospital's liaison to families.

    Similargo-between, mediator

  2. 2
    communicationnoununcountable
    Communication and cooperation between people, groups or organizations so that they keep each other informed and work together.

    Poor liaison between the design and sales teams meant customers were promised features that didn't exist.

    The embassy maintains regular liaison with the host government through weekly briefings.

    UsageLiaison with someone, liaison between groups, often close or regular. The verb is liaise.

    Similarcommunication, contact, cooperation, coordination

  3. 3
    affairnounfigurativelycountable
    A secret or illicit romantic or sexual relationship, such as an affair, or a private meeting between lovers.

    The minister resigned after his liaison with an aide became public.

    The novel follows a string of liaisons that slowly ruin the family's reputation.

    UsageA liaison with someone; common in news about scandals: his liaison with an aide.

    Similaraffair, dalliance

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbnonstandardintransitive
    To liaise: to act as a link between people or groups, keeping them in contact and informed.

    "I'll liaison with legal and get back to you," the manager said in the hallway.

    "We liaisoned with the venue last week, so the stage is booked," she told the group.

    UsageIn writing, use liaise: liaise with a client.

    Similarliaise, coordinate

  2. 5
    noun
    In speech, the linking of one word to the next, especially sounding a normally silent final consonant before a word starting with a vowel, as in French.
  3. 6
    noun
    In cooking, an ingredient or mixture used to thicken sauces, usually made with egg yolks.

Practice

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Origin

English borrowed it from French liaison ("binding"). The French word comes from Latin ligātiō, which also gave English its doublet ligation, and that is built on ligō ("I bind"), from the Proto-Indo-European root *leyǵ- ("to bind").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 6 facts