Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal agreement or partnership between two or more parties: An "alliance" is a formal union or agreement, often between countries, organizations, or groups, formed to achieve common goals, such as mutual defense or cooperation.
   • A connection based on shared interests, kinship, or qualities: "Alliance" can also refer to a bond or connection between people or entities, stemming from family ties, marriage, or common characteristics and interests.
   • The state of being united in an association: It describes the condition of being allied or joined together in a confederation or league.

Examples of Usage

• Formal agreement between nations:
  • The two countries signed a military alliance to defend against common threats.
  • The trade alliance promoted economic growth among its member states.
• Connection based on shared interest or kinship:
  • Their alliance was built on a shared passion for environmental conservation.
  • The shifting alliances within the royal family influenced the succession.
• State of being allied:
  • Their alliance proved strong enough to withstand external pressures.

Advanced Usage

• "In alliance with": partnered or united with.
  • The company operated in alliance with several international partners.
• "To enter into/form an alliance": to officially create a partnership.
  • The political parties entered into an alliance to gain a majority in parliament.

Variants and Related Words

• Ally (noun/verb): A person, group, or nation associated with another; to unite or form a connection.
  • The two nations became allies during the war.
• Allied (adjective): Joined by or relating to an alliance.
  • The allied forces launched a coordinated attack.

Synonyms

• Coalition: A temporary alliance for combined action.
• Confederation: An organization of several groups or states united for a common purpose.
• Pact: A formal agreement between individuals or parties.
• Union: The action of joining together.

Related Phrases

• Strategic alliance: A partnership formed to pursue shared strategic objectives.
  • The firms created a strategic alliance to develop new technology.
• Alliance system: A network of formal agreements between states.
  • The complex alliance system was a factor leading to the war.

Idioms

• Strange bedfellows: An idiom referring to an unlikely alliance between very different parties.
  • In politics, you often see strange bedfellows forming alliances of convenience.

Noun

1. the act of forming an alliance or confederation
2. a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim
3. an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
4. a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest
   • the shifting alliances within a large family
   • their friendship constitutes a powerful bond between them
5. the state of being allied or confederated