alliance Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F. alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL. alligantia.

The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.
Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel. C. J. Smith.

The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics. Mansel.
The persons or parties allied. Udall. Syn. -- Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation; league; coalition.