What Does Alliance Mean? Explained

Pronunciation

/ˌæl.aɪ.əns/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A union or association formed between two or more parties, countries, or organizations for mutual benefit or to achieve a common goal.

Examples

• The two companies formed an alliance to share resources and expertise.
• The countries formed an alliance to counterbalance the growing threat.

Synonyms

• Coalition
• Partnership

Antonyms

• Rivalry
• Conflict

Additional Information

An alliance can take many forms, including military alliances, economic alliances, and strategic partnerships. Alliances can provide mutual benefits, such as increased security, shared resources, and improved competitiveness. However, they can also create challenges, such as conflicting interests and decision-making difficulties.

In international relations, alliances can play a crucial role in maintaining global stability and promoting cooperation. For example, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance that aims to provide collective defense against potential threats.

Etymology

The word “alliance” comes from the Old French word “allier,” meaning “to unite” or “to join.” It is derived from the Latin words “alligare,” meaning “to bind together,” and “ligare,” meaning “to bind.”

Usage Notes

When using the word “alliance,” be careful to distinguish it from other forms of cooperation, such as partnerships or coalitions. Emphasize the mutual benefits and shared goals that characterize an alliance.

Cultural References

The concept of alliance has been depicted in various forms of media, such as in the Star Wars franchise, where alliances between different factions are crucial to achieving victory.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Form an alliance” – to create a bond or partnership between two or more parties.

Related Words or Phrases

• Coalition
• Partnership
• Union

Collocations

• Form an alliance
• Enter an alliance
• Maintain an alliance

Frequency of Use

The word “alliance” is commonly used in formal and informal contexts, with a frequency of around 1.5 per million words in modern English.

Common Misspellings

• Allience
• Alligence
• Alyance