ˈlēəˌz]än, ˈlē(ˌ)āˌz], lēˈāˌz] also ÷ˈlāəˌz] or -ˌs] or ]ȯn or ]ōn or ]ōⁿ or ]äⁿ or ˌ ̷ ̷əˈ ̷ ̷ or ˌ ̷ ̷(ˌ)āˈ ̷ ̷ or ˈlēə]zən or lēˈā]z ə n or ÷ˈlāə]zən or ]sən or ]s ə n noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from lier to bind, tie + -aison -ation (from Latin -ation, -atio ) — more at liable
1.
a. : a close bond or connection
the farmers and the labor people ended up supporting the same people but without much of a liaison between them — Tilford Dudley
: relationship , interrelationship
a proper liaison between the school and the ordinary experience of the students — National Catholic Education Association Bulletin
establish any kind of liaison with the top men who were running trade and business — H.W.Carter
b. : an illicit sexual relationship between a man and a woman
2. : the pronunciation at the end of the first of two consecutive words the second of which begins with a vowel sound and follows without pause of a consonant sound not present in the first word in other positions (as of z in French lāzȧmē for les amis by contrast to lāpwä for les pois, or in eastern New England of r in fȧrȯf for far off by contrast to fȧkrī for far cry )
3.
a. : intercommunication established and maintained between parts of an armed force to ensure mutual understanding, unity of action, and especially prompt and effective support by artillery and air units
a liaison officer
doing liaison work in the front lines
b. : any intercommunication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding
such liaison work as we have goes on between theological liberals in both groups — W.L.Sperry