Definition of "associative" in English

adjective

1. Pertaining to, resulting from, or characterised by association; capable of associating; tending to associate or unite.

2. (algebra, of a binary operator *) Such that, for any operands a,b and c, (a*b)*c=a*(b*c); (of a ring, etc.) whose multiplication operation is associative.

3. (computing) Addressable by a key more complex than an integer index.

   • AWK's associative arrays may be indexed by strings.
   • Associative memories were once given considerable attention.