1. a group of people organized for a joint purpose
2. a mental connection or relationship between ideas, memories, or feelings
3. the action of connecting or combining things together

Examples

• She joined the local teachers’ association.
• The homeowners’ association meets monthly to discuss neighborhood issues.
• I have a strong association between that song and my childhood.
• The smell of cookies creates pleasant associations with my grandmother’s kitchen.
• The association between smoking and lung cancer is well established.
• The company formed an association with several international partners.
• His association with the controversial group damaged his reputation.