(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 are putting their money where their mouths are with agreements to build the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
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
“Summer of Freedom” is mostly social history, paying close attention to the unraveling alliance of the wartime Allies, whose diplomacy morphs quickly from solidarity against fascism into bitter Cold War rivalries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
"Historically this was overly reliant on the US. Now the US has adjusted its pledged contributions -- and other Allies have stepped up to contribute more," Rutte said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
But as the war progressed, American sympathies increasingly favored the Allies.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
The longtime allies and economic partners, who have enjoyed free trade for decades, are now in an escalating trade war with no clear off ramp.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
By combining nature with military technology, Polish forces and their allies hope to deter any Russian threat, as the war in neighbouring Ukraine heads for a fifth year.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
How effective these sanctions are will largely be determined by how the countries that are ultimately targeted - which could include US allies like Turkey and Iraq, as well as China - react.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Other U.S. allies in the region reacted swiftly to Trump’s pullback from the Korean exercises.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
When Stalin died in 1953, he was succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev, who held power during the most intense time of the Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States and their allies.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
