(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
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
"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
In both sectors, the attacks were preceded by the discharge of chlorine gas—the first time poison gas had been used by the Allies.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
The country has repeatedly appealed to its allies for additional support as Russia steps up its strikes -- firing a record number of missiles in July, according to AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data.
From Barron's ● 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
Last week, Colonel Ryan Donald, spokesman for the US-South Korean Combined Forces Command, said the allies would prepare troops for a potential fight against North Korean forces battle-hardened in Europe.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
In a rare public break between the close allies, Netanyahu last week rejected Trump’s plan for a phased disarmament by Hamas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Dunmore’s War was only the beginning of a three-decade war between the settlers and the Shawnee Nation and its 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.
