noun
    
    plural -ances
    
    [count] :a union between people, groups, countries, etc. :a relationship in which people agree to work together
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [noncount] :the state of being joined in some activity or effort :the state of being allied
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :a group of people, countries, etc., that are joined together in some activity or effort