‘联盟’ (liánméng) is a compound noun meaning ‘alliance’ or ‘coalition’—a formal or informal agreement between two or more parties to cooperate toward shared goals. The first character 联 (lián) means ‘to link, connect, or unite’, while the second character 盟 (méng) originally referred to ancient oath-taking rituals and now carries the sense of ‘pact’ or ‘covenant’. Together, they emphasize voluntary, purpose-driven cooperation rather than mere association.

This word appears frequently in political, business, ecological, and even wildlife contexts—for example, conservation groups may form an alliance to protect endangered species, or animal behavior researchers might describe symbiotic species as forming a ‘mutualistic alliance’. It conveys intentionality and mutual benefit, and is slightly more formal than synonyms like ‘合作’ (cooperation). It’s commonly used in written and formal spoken Chinese, especially in news, policy documents, and academic discussions.