alliance

¹

[ uh-lahy-uhns ]

noun

1. the act of allying or state of being allied.

   Synonyms: affiliation, partnership, bloc, combination, coalition, association

2. a formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes.

   Synonyms: compact, pact

3. a merging of efforts or interests by persons, families, states, or organizations:

   an alliance between church and state.

4. the persons or entities so allied.
5. marriage or the relationship created by marriage between the families of the spouses.
6. correspondence in basic characteristics; affinity:

   the alliance between logic and metaphysics.

Alliance

²

[ uh-lahy-uhns ]

noun

1. a city in NE Ohio.

Alliance

¹

/ əˈlaɪəns /

noun

1. 1. the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party acting or regarded as a political entity from 1981 to 1988
   2. ( as modifier )

      an Alliance candidate

alliance

²

/ əˈlaɪəns /

noun

1. the act of allying or state of being allied; union; confederation
2. a formal agreement or pact, esp a military one, between two or more countries to achieve a particular aim
3. the countries involved in such an agreement
4. a union between families through marriage
5. affinity or correspondence in qualities or characteristics
6. botany a taxonomic category consisting of a group of related families; subclass

Other Words From

• inter·al·liance noun adjective
• nonal·liance noun
• preal·liance noun
• proal·liance adjective
• real·liance noun
• subal·liance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of alliance¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English aliance, from Old French; equivalent to ally + -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of alliance¹

C13: from Old French aliance, from alier to ally

Synonym Study

Alliance, confederation, league, union all mean the joining of states for mutual benefit or to permit the joint exercise of functions. An alliance may apply to any connection entered into for mutual benefit. League usually suggests closer combination or a more definite object or purpose. Confederation applies to a permanent combination for the exercise in common of certain governmental functions. Union implies an alliance so close and permanent that the separate states or parties become essentially one.

Example Sentences

In the past, Trump’s “America-first” doctrine isolated and weakened these US alliances.

From BBC

Norway was a founder member of the Western defensive alliance.

From BBC

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned Western nations against such a move, saying it would represent the Nato military alliance's "direct participation" in the Ukraine war.

From BBC

He also strengthened defence alliances across Asia and the Pacific to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the region.

From BBC

The post-WWII system of international alliances, underpinned by NATO, is now in grave peril of being unraveled.

From Salon

More About Alliance

What is an alliance?

An alliance is the act or state of being in a mutually beneficial relationship to work toward a common goal, as in The United States’ longest alliance is with France. 

Often, alliance refers to a formal agreement between nations that promise to assist each other in war, as in Germany, Italy, and Japan agreed on an alliance during World War II. 

Alliance can also be used more generally to refer to the people or groups that come together in a common cause, as in The invading orcs were defeated by an alliance of men, elves, and dwarves. 

Alliance is similar to words such as confederation, union, and league, which also refer to beneficial partnerships. Alliance is used more generally than these words, however.

Example: The kids at my school formed an alliance to stop the bully from harassing us. 

Where does alliance come from?

The first records of the word alliance come from around 1250. It ultimately comes through the Old French alier, meaning “to ally.” An alliance is created when multiple groups or people decide to ally (join in partnership) with each other.

You have probably seen the word alliance used in history books, especially when learning about wars. Throughout history, nations have repeatedly formed alliances to avoid war or to help defend each other from a larger, more powerful threat. Both World War I and World War II involved alliances between a significant number of nations. In fact, World War I only escalated as badly as it did thanks to a complex web of alliances that forced many different countries into the conflict.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to alliance?

• interalliance (noun, adjective)
• nonalliance (noun)
• prealliance (noun)
• proalliance (adjective)

What are some synonyms for alliance?

• coalition
• partnership
• communion
• compact

What are some words that share a root or word element with alliance? 

• ally
• alloy

What are some words that often get used in discussing alliance?

• friendship
• cooperation
• politics
• nations
• form

How is alliance used in real life?

Alliance is a word used to refer to partnerships or different parties working together toward a common goal.

BREAKING: NATO chief says alliance suspends meetings with Russia, puts "entire cooperation under review."

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 5, 2014

@Telefonica is driving climate change in the #RaceToZero. Join the @UNFCCC #RaceToZero, the largest global alliance racing to halve emissions by 2030. https://t.co/3pbdpWWApN @topnigel @gmunozabogabir @aloksharma_rdg pic.twitter.com/SdhGCHS1PE

— Exponential Roadmap Initiative (@exponentialroad) June 15, 2021

The alliance between economy and technology ends up sidelining anything unrelated to its immediate interests.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 18, 2015

Try using alliance!

True or False?

An alliance is a cooperative partnership where multiple parties work toward a common cause.