as·so·ci·ate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt 
-sē-
associated; associating
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
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.
as·so·ciate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət
-sē-,
-ˌāt,
-shət
1
: one associated with another: such as
2
3
often capitalized
: a degree conferred especially by a junior college
associate in arts
as·so·ciate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət
-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
Synonyms
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
Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
In August, the FBI reviewed credit card statements associated with Williams that showed payment at a parking near a Washington metro station, about a 10-minute ride from the Capitol area, that was made on Jan. 6, 2021, the statements of facts says.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
The first Home Depot stores later opened in 1979 in Atlanta, and the franchise eventually employed 500,000 associates, according to the company's statement.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Ashley is 27, lives in Salt Lake City, and is OL’s associate gear editor.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for associate 
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Verb
Pain Relief – Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have analgesic properties that may help alleviate body aches and headaches associated with the flu.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
In August, the FBI reviewed credit card statements associated with Williams that showed payment at a parking near a Washington metro station, about a 10-minute ride from the Capitol area, that was made on Jan. 6, 2021, the statements of facts says.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
Sophia Pargas Sophia Pargas is a news associate for NBC News.
—Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
The first Home Depot stores later opened in 1979 in Atlanta, and the franchise eventually employed 500,000 associates, according to the company's statement.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Tasha Zemke is Outside magazine’s associate managing editor and a member of the Outside Online travel team.
—Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Ashley is 27, lives in Salt Lake City, and is OL’s associate gear editor.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for associate
Dictionary Entries Near associate
Cite this Entry
“Associate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
associate
1 of 2 verb
as·so·ci·ate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt
-sē-ˌāt
associated; associating
1
: to join or come together as partners, friends, or companions
2
: to connect in thought
associate autumn with school
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
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
associated; associating
1
: to join or connect (things) together
2
: to bring together in a relationship
infectious disease associated with a rise in body temperature
1
: to combine or join with other parts
fibrils of the sensory neurons associate with motor neurons—S. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone
S. J. Jacob & C. A. Francone2
: to engage in free association
the patient associated freely about his childhood
associate
2 of 3 adjective
as·so·ciate
ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ət, -shət, -s(h)ē-ˌāt
: 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 nursing—Skagit Valley College Catalog
Skagit Valley College CatalogLegal Definition
associate
noun
as·so·ciate
ə-ˈsō-shē-ət, -sē-ət, -shət
: a lawyer employed by a law firm compare partner
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