Difference between association and dependency?

In a UML class diagram, what is the difference between an association relationship and a dependency relationship?

From what I know, an association is a stronger relationship than a dependency, but I'm not sure how it is stronger.

Any example would be more than welcome :)


An association almost always implies that one object has the other object as a field/property/attribute (terminology differs).

A dependency typically (but not always) implies that an object accepts another object as a method parameter, instantiates, or uses another object. A dependency is very much implied by an association.


In OOP terms:

Association --> A has-a C object (as a member variable)

Dependency --> A references B (as a method parameter or return type)

public class A {
    private C c;
    public void myMethod(B b) {
        b.callMethod();
    }
}

There is also a more detailed answer.