associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv 

-sē-,

-shə-tiv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

2

: dependent on or acquired by association or learning

3

: of, having, or being the property of combining to the same mathematical result regardless of the grouping of an expression's elements given that the order of those elements is preserved

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈti-və-tē 

-sē-

-shə-ˈti-

noun

Examples of associative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This approach mirrors what behavioral scientists call associative mimicry: the deliberate alignment of a brand with the cultural codes and symbols of exclusivity. —Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Hopfield created an associative memory that can store and reconstruct images and other types of patterns in data, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

Connecting memories: Similar to how our brains create associations between concepts, the associative memory system forms links between related information by connecting the dots. —Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

But the approach might be a struggle for those less inclined to submit to associative trains of thoughts. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing associative

• associative learning
• associative neuron

Kids Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-shē-ˌāt-iv  -sē- 

-shət-iv

1

: of or relating to association

2

: of, having, or being the property of producing the same mathematical value no matter how an expression's elements are grouped so long as the order of those elements is the same

addition is associative since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

associatively adverb

associativity

ə-ˌsō-shē-ə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

-ˌsō-sē-

-ˌsō-shə-ˈtiv-

noun

Medical Definition

associative

adjective

as·​so·​cia·​tive ə-ˈsō-s(h)ē-ˌāt-iv  -shət-iv 

1

: of or relating to association especially of ideas or images

an associative symbol

2

a

: dependent on or characterized by association

an associative reaction

b

: acquired by a process of learning

an associative reflex