(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
An ~ is an official group of people who have the same job, aim, or interest.
...the British Olympic Association...
Research ~s are often linked to a particular industry.
N-COUNT: oft in names
see also housing ~
2.
Your ~ with a person or a thing such as an organization is the connection that you have with them.
...the company’s six-year ~ with retailer J.C. Penney Co...
= affiliation
N-COUNT: usu N with n
3.
If something has particular ~s for you, it is connected in your mind with a particular memory, idea, or feeling.
He has a shelf full of things, each of which has ~s for him...
N-COUNT: usu pl
4.
If you do something in ~ with someone else, you do it together.
PHRASE: PHR n