League: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in sports or games to describe a group of teams that compete against each other.

• The football league has 20 teams
• Our local bowling league meets every Friday

Refers to a group of individuals or organizations united by a common purpose, interest, or activity. It is often used in professional, academic, or social contexts.

• The National Education Association advocates for teachers
• She joined the local writers' association

A broad term that can apply to any group of people with a common goal, often used in business, non-profit sectors, or general contexts.

• She works for a non-profit organization
• The organization of the event was excellent

Describes a union of political units, typically countries or states, that retain their independence but collaborate on common purposes. It often has a formal and official context, sometimes historical.

• The Swiss Confederation is a political entity
• The articles of confederation were adopted by the original American states

Used for a group of sports teams or clubs that compete against each other. Also used for associations of people or groups with common interests, often with a formal or casual structure.

• The football league starts in September.
• They formed a league to protect local wildlife.

Best used in political, military, or international contexts where two or more countries, organizations, or parties agree to work together for a common purpose.

• The NATO alliance was created for collective defense.
• Political parties formed an alliance to win the election.

Commonly used in political contexts to describe a temporary alliance of various parties that come together to form a government or achieve a specific goal. May also be used in other contexts to describe groups working together towards a specific cause or project.

• The coalition government includes members from three different parties.
• A coalition of environmental groups worked together to protect the forest.

Appropriate for describing a union of partially self-governing states or regions under a central government. Often used in the context of countries or large organizations.

• The United States is a federation of 50 states.
• The trade unions decided to form a national federation.

Use this word when referring to a group of people or organizations that have joined together for a common purpose, often in a formal or structured way.

• Several countries formed a league to address climate change
• The sports league held its annual meeting

Use this word when emphasizing the coming together of different groups or individuals, often in a significant or impactful way, to form a single entity or to face a common challenge.

• The community united to rebuild after the disaster
• Political leaders united to sign the peace treaty

Best suited for professional or academic settings where two or more parties work jointly towards a task or project, highlighting cooperation and shared effort.

• Scientists from around the world collaborated on the research project
• The two companies decided to collaborate to create a new product

This phrase is often used in informal situations when a group of individuals comes together to achieve a common goal, typically in a spontaneous or grassroots manner.

• The neighbors banded together to clean the park
• Local businesses banded together to support a charity