# alliance

/əˈɫaɪəns/ (US) · /ɐlˈaɪəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/alliance
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. political/military agreement

noun · CEFR B2

a formal agreement between countries or political parties to help each other.

For teachers: a formal pact or treaty between nations or political organisations to cooperate for specific purposes, such as mutual defence.

- The two countries formed a military alliance to protect their borders from attack.
- The shifting geopolitical landscape forced the smaller nations to forge a strategic alliance against the growing influence of their neighbour.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'form', 'forge', or 'enter into'.

### 2. the group itself

noun · CEFR B2

a group of people or countries that have joined together.

For teachers: a group of states, parties, or individuals that are allied.

- The retail alliance works together to get better prices from suppliers.
- The alliance issued a joint statement condemning the trade restrictions imposed by the international council.

### 3. marriage between families

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

a connection between families, often through marriage, to gain power or wealth.

For teachers: a union between families or individuals, typically established by marriage for social, political, or financial advantage.

- In the past, a royal marriage was often a way to create a powerful alliance.
- The marriage was less a romantic union and more a calculated alliance designed to consolidate the two families' vast estates.

Teaching tip: While common in historical contexts, this sense is rarely used for modern marriages unless they are between extremely powerful dynasties.

### 4. similarity or connection

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a close connection between things because they are similar.

For teachers: a relationship based on an affinity in qualities or interests.

- There is a natural alliance between the two scientific theories.
- The philosopher noted a deep alliance between the aesthetic values of the two seemingly unrelated cultures.

## Examples

- The two countries formed a military alliance to protect their borders.
- The small tech companies formed a strategic alliance to compete with the industry giants in the global market.
- Historians argue that the fragile alliance between the two rival factions was the only thing preventing a total collapse of the provisional government during the crisis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.