The term "associate" has several meanings, depending on its context.
In a general sense, an associate is someone who works together with another person or group in pursuit of common goals or interests. It can refer to anyone from employees working for a company to members of a professional organization.
In the legal profession, "associate" refers to a lawyer who has recently completed their education and training and is practicing law under the supervision of a more experienced attorney.
In business, an associate is often someone who invests in or partners with another person or company for mutual benefit. This can include joint ventures, franchisees, or distributors.
Finally, "associate" can also refer to a member of a particular group or organization - such as the Associated Press (AP), which is an independent news agency that provides content to its members.