associative

[ uh-soh-shee-ey-tiv, -see-, -shuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or resulting from association.
2. tending to associate or unite.
3. Mathematics, Logic.
   1. (of an operation on a set of elements) giving an equivalent expression when elements are grouped without change of order, as ( a + b ) + c = a + ( b + c ).
   2. having reference to this property:

      associative law of multiplication.

associative

/ əˈsəʊʃɪətɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or causing association or union
2. maths logic
   1. being independent of the grouping of numbers, symbols, or terms within a given set, as in conjunction or in an expression such as (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
   2. referring to this property

      the associative laws of arithmetic

associative

/ ə-sō′shə-tĭv /

1. Of or relating to the property of an operation, such as addition or multiplication, which states that the grouping of numbers undergoing the operation does not change the result. For example, 3 + (4 + 5) is equal to (3 + 4) + 5.
2. See also commutative

Other Words From

• as·so·ci·a·tive·ly [uh, -, soh, -shee-ey-tiv-lee, -, uh, -tiv-, -see-], adverb
• as·so·ci·a·tiv·i·ty [uh, -soh-shee-, uh, -, tiv, -i-tee, -see-, -sh, uh, -, tiv, -], as·soci·ative·ness noun
• nonas·soci·ative adjective
• nonas·soci·ative·ly adverb
• subas·soci·ative adjective
• subas·soci·ative·ly adverb
• unas·soci·ative adjective
• unas·soci·ative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of associative¹

First recorded in 1805–15; associate + -ive

Example Sentences

Some scientists have argued that most of our language acquisition can be explained by associative learning, as we relate sounds to sensibilia, much like dogs associate the sound of a bell with food.

From New York Times

"I am interested in how characteristics of cortical traveling waves change to support a wide range of cognitive functions, including attention and associative memory," she said.

From Science Daily

"The effect can't be fully explained by associative learning processes. The generalization effect might be due to an increase in self-efficacy as a result of exposure therapy," says the researcher.

From Science Daily

In experiments, the new synaptic transistor successfully recognized similar patterns, displaying its associative memory.

From Science Daily

The researchers' AI model tackled the same tasks using just the two simple mechanisms that pigeons were presumed to use: associative learning and error correction.

From Science Daily