förbund

Etymology
Related to förbinda.

Noun

 * 1) a union, a federation, an association, a league, an agreement
 * Nationernas förbund
 * The League of Nations

Usage notes

 * When local associations form a national federation, the former are called förening (association) or avdelning (chapter), while the latter is called förbund. Thus riksförbund (national federation) is a commonly used compound.