Alliance

alliance
noun1the state of being allied or confederated2a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest; "the shifting alliances within a large family"; "their friendship constitutes a powerful bond between them"3an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty[ant: nonalignment]4a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim5the act of forming an alliance or confederation[syn: confederation]