(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.
Its cornering of an “extraordinary 90 percent of global production” of chemicals and dyes sparked fears of dependency among the Allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 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
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
"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 August, the Allies made a second landing at Suvla Bay on the peninsula, suffering heavy losses.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
It has sparked fears that Putin "might 'last out' against Britain or Nato allies", according to the paper.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Since World War II, the U.S. pursued trade liberalization as a goal in and of itself, a way to generate mutual benefit and strengthen ties with allies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
European spy chiefs worry that Russia's war against Ukraine is increasingly spilling over onto their soil, but Kyiv's Western allies are struggling to come up with countermeasures to halt Moscow's "hybrid" attacks.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Still, the two counties have long been defence partners and allies, including when Canada backed the US in the war in Afghanistan.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
They talked about their first mission, taking children, a brother and sister, out of the program and secreting them away through a series of friends and allies.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
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.
