association >> /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃ(ə)n/
Definition: [noun] (often in names) a group of people organized for a joint purpose.
Example: the National Association of Broadcasters
Definition: [noun] A connection or cooperative link between people or organizations.
Example: he developed a close association with the university
Definition: [noun] A mental connection between ideas or things.
Example: the word bureaucracy has unpleasant associations