associate

1 of 3

verb

as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-
associated; associating

transitive verb

1
: to join as a partner, friend, or companion
They were closely associated with each other during the war.
2
: to join or connect together : combine
particles of gold associated with heavy minerals
3
: to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)
She will always associate that place with her youth.
4
obsolete : to keep company with : attend

intransitive verb

1
: to come or be together as partners, friends, or companions
was accused of associating with known criminals
2
: to combine or join with other parts : unite
Protons, neutrons, and electrons associate together to form atoms.

associate

2 of 3

noun

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-,
-ˌāt,
-shət
1
: one associated with another: such as
a
: partner, colleague
business associates
b
: companion, comrade
a close associate during his college years
2
a
: an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession)
an associate of the Royal Academy
3
often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college
associate in arts
associateship
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət-ˌship How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-
-ˌāt-
-shət-
noun

associate

3 of 3

adjective

as·​so·​ciate ə-ˈsō-shē-ət How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-,
-ˌāt,
-shət
1
: closely connected (as in function or office) with another : sharing in responsibility or authority
associate judges
2
: having secondary or subordinate status
associate membership in a society
3
: closely related especially in the mind
faith and its associate virtues
Choose the Right Synonym for associate

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

Examples of associate in a Sentence

Verb I no longer wish to be associated with people like him. She associates herself with some pretty strange people. Noun Her associates respected her for her hard work. She started as an associate at the law firm. Adjective He's an associate member of the club but he hopes to become a full member soon. She was promoted from assistant editor to associate editor and may soon be promoted to senior editor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But on Friday, neither those forecasts, nor the frequent sense of the imminence of rain, could easily dispel the sense of warm-weather ease seemingly felt in Washington, as the city settled into the workday rituals and patterns of thought associated with the recent start of daylight saving time. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The Free Press requested the work histories of 16 individuals associated with the RenCen private security force through the state Freedom of Information Act, including investigative documents related to the individuals, from Michigan State Police in November. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 Research tells us that 26% of men in Clay’s age group of 18-44 experience symptoms associated with anxiety and depression during their life while only 12% will seek help for their mental health. Essence, 16 Mar. 2024 This immersive experience not only helps reduce the uncertainty associated with online shopping but also significantly lowers the rate of returns, a common challenge in the fashion e-commerce sector. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 But There Are Reasons to Shower at Night, Too Showing in the morning can be healthy for you; however, there are also plenty of pros associated with a nighttime shower schedule. Korin Miller, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 For many Americans, learning to drive is a rite of passage, a skill associated with freedom. Miriam Jordan, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 In 2010, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors voted to issue a regulation implementing the CARD Act that stated that banks could only charge fees that recover the bank’s costs associated with late payment. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 But there’s no need to speculate any longer — not since this weekend, when Trump and Kennedy both associated themselves with policies that would bring vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio back to the United States. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
The survey, which will be accessible via the city’s web site, hopefully will launch within the next week, Ben Verdugo, a senior associate with Dixon Resources, said Monday. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 Now that mortgage rates have eased a bit, more buyers are emerging, but their composition has changed, says Jung Hyun Choi, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute. Leonardo Bevilacqua, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2024 Before his arrest, Miller-Whitehead was a close associate of Adams, who served as Brooklyn's borough president. Manahil Ahmad, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 The list is more of a cost of living chart than a tax policy ranking, said Richard Auxier, senior associate at the nonpartisan Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 When Annapurna’s finances took a hit from the distribution expenses, Larry Ellison brought in one of his associates to advise on belt-tightening. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 The containers allegedly belong to former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and his associate, Kenneth Hughbanks, who briefly served as sheriff in Scott County. The Courier-Journal, 5 Mar. 2024 That applies to Dean’s savvy local TV producer partner Erin (Lex Scott Davis), as well as to Ted and his prospective merger associates. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 The 33-year-old pop-reggaeton artist exited the plane and hugged friends and associates on the tarmac, according to footage obtained by K-ABC Los Angeles. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Women account for 43% of associate business school deans yet are still outnumbered in other business school faculty positions that also offer leadership paths. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Previously, Paulson was associate partner at McKinsey and Company. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 Carlos Andino, a former associate counsel with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, wondered whether the agency had enough data to link serious crimes and fare evasion. Danny Nguyen, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Harden was also the associate athletic director for Cincinnati Christian University while teaching English at Fairfield High School from 2005 to 2009. The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024 Fired up, her father, Chris Boudreau, contacted an associate communications director for the athletic department and told him about the case. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Craig is credited with working as a production supervisor and associate producer on the variety show as well as working as an associate producer in the late 1970s on the show Sha Na Na. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 The associate accounting analyst is responsible for performing technical work for the department’s financial and accounting services. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Caroline Rodier, associate director of the Transportation Center at UC Davis, authored a study on more than a dozen car-sharing programs across the U.S. since the early 2000s. Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'associate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English associat associated, from Latin associatus, past participle of associare to unite, from ad- + sociare to join, from socius companion — more at social

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of associate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near associate

Cite this Entry

“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

associate

1 of 2 verb
as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
-sē-ˌāt
associated; associating
1
: to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions
2
: to connect in thought
associate hot chocolate with winter
3
: to combine or join with other parts : unite

associate

2 of 2 noun
as·​so·​ci·​ate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət,
-sē-ət,
-shət,
-shē-ˌāt,
-sē-ˌāt
1
: a fellow worker : colleague
2
3
often capitalized : a degree given especially by a junior college
associate in arts
associate adjective
Etymology

Verb

Middle English associat "connected, related," derived from Latin associare "to unite," from ad- "to" and sociare "to join," from socius "companion" — related to sociable

Medical Definition

associate

1 of 3 verb
as·​so·​ci·​ate ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt How to pronounce associate (audio)
associated; associating

transitive verb

1
: to join or connect (things) together
2
: to bring together in a relationship
infectious disease associated with a rise in body temperature

intransitive verb

1
: to combine or join with other parts
fibrils of the sensory neurons associate with motor neuronsS. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone
2
: to engage in free association
the patient associated freely about his childhood

associate

2 of 3 adjective
: ranking immediately below the senior or chief position
associate clinical professor of medicine
associate medical examiner

associate

3 of 3 noun
as·​so·​ciate
like₂
1
: a research worker or teacher affiliated with a professional organization or institution and ranking below a professor or full member
a research associate in pathology
2
often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college
an Associate in Technical Arts degree in nursingSkagit Valley College Catalog

Legal Definition

associate

noun
: a lawyer employed by a law firm compare partner

More from Merriam-Webster on associate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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