to make a connection between people or things in your mind

to spend time with somebody, especially a person or people that somebody else does not approve of

I don't like you associating with those people.

to show that you support or agree with something

I associate myself with the prime minister's remarks .

I have never associated myself with political extremism.

of a lower rank; having fewer rights in a particular profession or organization

joined to or connected with a profession or an organization

a person that you work with, do business with or spend a lot of time with

a person who has an Associate’s degree (= one that is given after completing two years of study at a junior college)

LEARNit Dictionary