Affiliate

An affiliate is an entity with has a relationship with a peer or a larger entity.

Broadcast networks

In a radio network or TV network, an affiliate is a radio station or TV station that agrees to carry the broadcasts of the network. Usually, the stations are still responsible for the content (i.e. profanity) to some extent.

E-commerce

An e-commerce affiliate is a website which links back to an e-commerce site such as Amazon.com. When a reader of the website clicks on a link, they are connected to the e-tailer and if they purchase something the affiliate receives a small payment, usually a percentage of the money the customer spends. Several web businesses such as specialize in setting up these affiliate relationships.