noun (n)

• a social or business relationship(noun.state)

  Example:
  A valuable financial affiliation.
  

  Synonym:
  association, tie, tie-up
  

  source: wordnet30
• the act of becoming formally connected or joined(noun.act)

  Example:
  Welcomed the affiliation of the research center with the university.
  

  source: wordnet30
• Adoption; association or reception as a member in or of the same family or society.(noun)

  source: webster1913