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plural of .
(initial capital letter) (in world war i) the powers of the triple entente (great britain, france, russia), with the nations with them (belgium, serbia, j-pan, italy, etc., not including the united states), or, loosely, with all the nations (including the united states) or -ssociated with them as opposed to the central powers.
(initial capital letter) 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.
(initial capital letter) the member nations of nato.
to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to):
russia allied itself to france.
to -ssociate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
to enter into an ; join; unite.
a person, group, or nation that is -ssociated with another or others for some common cause or purpose:
canada and the united states were allies in world war ii.
biology. a plant, animal, or other organism bearing an evolutionary relationship to another, often as a member of the same family:
the squash is an ally of the watermelon.
a person who -ssociates or cooperates with another; supporter.
contemporary examples

bloc voting for allies, and totally blanking your political foes, became the norm.
why russia hates the bearded lady: the hairy politics of eurovision tim teeman may 12, 2014

riegner warned the allies that berlin had a plan to exterminate all jews in countries occupied or controlled by germany.
the savior of sobibor richard rashke october 13, 2013

yushchenko had been poisoned with dioxin during the campaign, most likely by allies of moscow.
yulia tymoshenko: she’s no angel christopher d-ckey february 22, 2014

(5) which allies will support (deeds beyond words) the u.s., and would an attack be legal under international law?
war is the new peace: american vets reflect on syria john kael weston september 9, 2013

the english and their flemish allies cheered and celebrated the victory in disbelief.
the day the sea ran red: the battle of sluys dan jones may 5, 2013

historical examples

the allies have much to teach them, and much to learn from them.
our part in the great war arthur gleason

the crews of the french ships and their allies were ordered to depart in two days.
the life of horatio lord nelson robert southey

the money they invested as a loan to the allies was applied by them to buying american goods.
the story of the great war, volume vi (of viii) various

but do not forget that in a few weeks the masai also will be our allies.’
freeland theodor hertzka

he found, however, much to his chagrin, that he was utterly unable to restrain the savage propensities of his allies.
ferdinand de soto, the discoverer of the mississippi john s. c. abbott

noun
the plural of ally
plural noun
(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
verb (əˈlaɪ) -lies, -lying, -lied usually foll by to or with
to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage
(transitive; usually p-ssive) to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible
noun (ˈælaɪ; əˈlaɪ) (pl) -lies
a country, person, or group allied with another
a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form
v.

late 13c., “to join in marriage,” from old french alier “combine, unite,” from a differentiated stem of aliier (from latin alligare “bind to;” see alloy). meaning “to form an alliance, join, -ssociate” is late 14c. related: allied; allying.
n.

late 14c., “relative, kinsman,” from ally (v.); mid-15c. in the sense of “one united with another by treaty or league.”

the victorious allied nations of world war i and world war ii. in world war i, the allies included britain, france, italy, russia, and the united states. in world war ii, the allies included britain, france, the soviet union, and the united states.