free association

noun

1

a

: the expression (as by speaking or writing) of the content of consciousness without censorship as an aid in gaining access to unconscious processes especially in psychoanalysis

b

: the reporting of the first thought that comes to mind in response to a given stimulus (such as a word)

2

: an idea or image elicited by free association

3

: a method using free association

free-associate

ˌfrē-ə-ˈsō-sē-ˌāt 

-shē-

intransitive verb

free-associative

ˌfrē-ə-ˈsō-sē-ˌā-tiv 

-shē-ˌā-

-shə-tiv

adjective

Examples of free association in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Third, what about the constitutional protection for free association? —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Inspired by the Dadaist rejection of logic and embrace of nonsense, Breton also drew on Jean-Martin Charcot and Sigmund Freud’s theories of hypnosis, free association, and the subconscious. —Jessica Iredale, airmail.news, 3 Aug. 2024

In a non-binding plebiscite in November, nearly 70 percent of participating voters in Puerto Rico chose either statehood or free association with the United States as their preferred status for the territory, both statuses which would maintain U.S. citizenship. —Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

Independence came in second for the first time, earning 29 percent with over 309,000 votes, while independence with free association received 12 percent, or more than 128,000 votes. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

free association

noun

1

a

: the expression (as by speaking or writing) of the content of consciousness without censorship as an aid in gaining access to unconscious processes especially in psychoanalysis

b

: the reporting of the first thought that comes to mind in response to a given stimulus (as a word)

2

: an idea or image elicited by free association

3

: a method using free association