(in World War I) the powers of the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia), with the nations allied with them (Belgium, Serbia, Japan, Italy, etc., not including the United States), or, loosely, with all the nations (including the United States) allied or associated with them as opposed to the Central Powers.
the 26 nations that fought against the Axis in World War II and, with subsequent additions, signed the charter of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945.
the member nations of NATO.
(in World War I) the powers of the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) together with the nations allied with them
(in World War II) the countries that fought against the Axis. The main Allied powers were Britain and the Commonwealth countries, the US, the Soviet Union, France, China, and Poland See also Axis
Plural of ally
How does allies compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
In war, allies are friends — specifically, friendly nations — you can trust. Allies are on your side. The main meaning of this word comes from war. Without allies, a country is going to be all alone in a war. Like many other words of war, this term spread beyond the battlefield. A politician trying to pass a law is going to need allies, probably in both political parties. Any time there's a disagreement or conflict, it helps to have allies: if you don't, you're all alone.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Allies hope to avoid a blow-up in Turkey by showcasing new spending and deals, and lavishing on hospitality.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
When the U.S. finally entered World War I in 1917, America’s vast industrial resources helped Allies keep fighting before U.S. troops arrived, and then tipped the balance after forces landed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
At the end of 1942, the Allies were in a stronger position than they had been at the start.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Donnie's body was buried by the Germans and later reburied by the Allies in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Berlin.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
While I was focused on Public Allies, Barack had settled into what was—by his standard, anyway—a period of relative tameness and predictability.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Chan’s campaign and her allies saw it differently.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Fry and his allies have spent just about $1 million and Sanford’s campaign has spent about $640,000.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
Many told us they referred to Luka as "The Spider" because of his vast web of allies and informants, including some embedded in rebel groups.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
Infantino would soon find out that his ranks of allies were dwindling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Some years later when the colonies began fighting to separate from Britain, the Cherokee again found themselves in the middle of warring nations seeking to enlist them as allies.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
