affiliation
/əˌfɪliˈeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
The state or process of affiliating or being affiliated.
his political affiliations
annexing,attaching,connecting,joining,bonding,uniting,combining,associating,aligning,allying,amalgamation,amalgamating,merging,incorporation,incorporating,integration,integrating,federating,federation,confederating,confederation,coupling,fusion