Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

ally

1 noun
     
Related topics: Government
al‧ly1 W3 plural allies [countable]
1PG a country that agrees to help or support another country in a war:
a meeting of the European allies
2

the Allies

the group of countries including Britain and the US that fought together in the First and Second World Wars
3 someone who helps and supports you when other people are trying to oppose you:
Ridley was one of the Queen's closest allies.
a staunch ally (=very close ally) of President Soares
a network of political allies
She knew she had found an ally in Ted.
4 something that helps you succeed in a difficult situation:
Exercise is an important ally in your campaign to lose weight.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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