əˈlīən(t)s also aˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance, from alier to ally + -ance — more at ally
1. : the state of being allied or the action of allying or uniting
toleration at home and alliance with Protestantism abroad — Hilaire Belloc
the two great men of letters stood in alliance — Time
: union or connection especially between families, states, parties, or individuals
any alliance between church and state
the dowry was small and the honor of the alliance great — Robert Graves
a closer alliance between government and industry
went through three marriages and several alliances of more doubtful character
2. : an association or union formed for the furtherance of the common interests and aims of the members
an alliance among the independent unions
a world alliance of interested groups
especially : an association, confederation, or union of two or more independent states or nations that is created by a formal agreement (as a treaty or compact) in their common interest especially for mutual assistance and protection
alliances and cooperative associations of states — C.K.Streit
the alliance of western nations
3. : union by relationship in qualities : affinity
an indefinable sense of alliance draws one to books as to people — Allan McMahan
between aesthetic and religious rapture there is a family alliance — Clive Bell
4. : a group of related botanical or zoological families ; especially : a group of plants intermediate between a class and an order
5. : a treaty of alliance