Definition of: alliance

(ə·lī′əns) noun
1. A formal treaty or agreement between states or other parties.
2. The union so formed; any intimate relationship. [< OF aliance (MF alliance) <L alligantia <alligare. See ALLY.] Synonyms: affinity, coalition, compact, confederacy, confederation, federation, fusion, kin, league, partnership, union. Commonly, alliance is a connection formed by treaty between sovereign states for mutual aid in war; partnership is a mercantile word. We speak of an alliance with a neighboring people; against the common enemy; for offense and defense; alliance of, between, or among nations. Coalition is oftenest used of political parties; fusion is now the more common word in this sense. In a confederacy or confederation there is an attempt to unite separate states in a general government without surrender of sovereignty. Union makes the separate states substantially one. Federation is a poetic and rhetorical word expressing something of the same thought. The United States is a federal union. See ASSOCIATION. Antonyms: antagonism, discord, disunion, divorce, enmity, hostility, schism, secession, separation, war.