(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.
Locals redirected the Allies to nearby Licata and told them about “beach minefields, maritime conditions, and port-installation booby traps.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 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
Allies of the former mayor of Greater Manchester say Burnham's time in that job proved to him "how resistant Whitehall can be to devolution", as one put it, and that he wanted that to change.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
In World War I, the company became a major source of smokeless powder and explosives for the Allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
But what if the Allies could capture Hellmuth before he reached Germany?
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
The newly appointed chancellor told the paper he would ensure the UK has a solid "buffer against uncertainty" amid the "dangerous" economic environment that has seen the UK and its allies suffer fiscal damage.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Other delegates bristled that the spat between close allies was an unnecessary distraction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Moscow has continued to be one of India's strongest allies despite Delhi forging closer relationships with Europe and the US in the past three decades.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Even as leaders may find agreement on topics like artificial intelligence on the formal US agenda, there remain big differences between Washington and Beijing as well as with its allies, including neighboring Canada, he added.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
The Mediterranean was too dangerous for demigods and their allies.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
