word association

American  

noun

1. stimulation of an associative pattern by a word.

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word association British  

noun

1. an early method of psychoanalysis in which the patient thinks of the first word that comes into consciousness on hearing a given word. In this way it was claimed that aspects of the unconscious could be revealed before defence mechanisms intervene

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Example Sentences

The researchers then explored whether AI success on this simple word association task could extend to more complex and realistic creative activities.

From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2026

The problem here is with that word association.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

Then when pressed, he’s a font of nonsensical word association.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2023

This isn’t quite word association, more like player association.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 31, 2021

The common use of the word association for almost every kind of connection has rendered this subject difficult; from which inaccuracy I fear some parts of this work are not exempt.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus