Definition of "alliance" []

• A close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes: an alliance of labor unions opposing the bill. (noun)
• A formal agreement establishing such an association, especially an international treaty of friendship. (noun)
• A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tie: the shifting alliances within a large family. (noun)
• Close similarity in nature or type; affinity: the ancient alliance between mathematics and music. (noun)
• The act of becoming allied or the condition of being allied: the church, acting in alliance with community groups. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "For my part, I have to say that whether there be such an alliance depends, so far as I know, upon what may be a right definition of the term “alliance."
• "In a letter to the Vienna Tageblatt, he advocates an economic alliance among the Continental nations for the purpose of barring out American goods, an economic alliance, in his own language, "_which may possibly and desirably develop into a political alliance_.""
• "In announcing Key's visit, the White House said the leaders would discuss "the close friendship and partnership between our two countries" -- a sign of growing ties, but a notch below using the term alliance."