the way in which two or more people, things, or ideas are connected
There is a close relation between exercise and good health.
Scientists measured the relation between temperature and pressure in the experiment.
✦ Middle English, from Latin relatio “bringing back, connection,” from referre “to bring back.”
a person who is part of your family by blood or marriage
Is Sarah a relation of yours?
Many of my relations live abroad.
✦ Same origin as Sense 1, early use broadened to mean a person connected by family ties.
the act of telling or describing something, especially in detail
His vivid relation of the battle kept the audience spellbound.
The diary provides a detailed relation of her journey across the desert.
✦ Borrowed from Late Latin relatio meaning “telling, narration,” influenced by legal and historical usage.
the way in which two or more people or groups feel and behave toward each other
A strong relationship between teachers and students can improve learning.
Good communication is the key to any healthy relationship.
✦ From relation + -ship; first recorded in the 1730s.
a close romantic partnership between two people who are dating or married
Maya and Lucas announced they were in a serious relationship.
She ended the relationship because they wanted different things.
a family connection between people who share the same ancestors
My relationship to Sarah is that she is my cousin.
He discovered his relationship with the famous poet while tracing his family tree.
a connection or relationship between two or more things in which a change in one is often linked with a change in another
Researchers found a strong correlation between regular exercise and happier moods in teenagers.
There seems to be little correlation between how wealthy someone is and how generous they are.
✦ from Latin correlatio (“reciprocal relation”), from com- (“together”) + relatio (“bringing back, relation”)
