relation
noun
re·la·tion
ri-ˈlā-shən 
1
: the act of telling or recounting : account
2
: an aspect or quality (such as resemblance) that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together or as being of the same kind
the relation of time and space
specifically
: a property (such as one expressed by is equal to, is less than, or is the brother of) that holds between an ordered pair of objects
3
: the referring by a legal fiction of an act to a prior date as the time of its taking effect
—usually used with back
4
a(1)
: a person connected by consanguinity or affinity : relative
(2)
: a person legally entitled to a share of the property of an intestate
b
: relationship by consanguinity or affinity : kinship
6
: the attitude or stance which two or more persons or groups assume toward one another
race relations
7
a
: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested (as in social or commercial matters)
b
relations plural
(1)
: dealings, intercourse
foreign relations
(2)
Examples of relation in a Sentence
The incident led to tense international relations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Farrell, who joined film studio as legal counsel in 2013, had been overseeing legal, HR and client relations.
—
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
The president’s comments did not go over well in Papua New Guinea, with whom Mr. Biden has been trying to strengthen relations as part of his effort to counter Chinese aggression in the region.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relation 
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
The president’s comments did not go over well in Papua New Guinea, with whom Mr. Biden has been trying to strengthen relations as part of his effort to counter Chinese aggression in the region.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near relation
Cite this Entry
“Relation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relation. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relation
noun
re·la·tion
ri-ˈlā-shən
1
: the act of telling or describing
2
: connection sense 2, relationship
the relation of employer to employee
3
: a related person : relative
4
: reference entry 1 sense 2, respect
in relation to this matter
5
a
: the state of sharing an interest (as in social or business matters)
b
plural
: business or public affairs
good trade relations
foreign relations
c
plural
: dealings between persons or groups
improved his relations with his family
relational
adjective
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
Medical Definition
relation
noun
re·la·tion
ri-ˈlā-shən
1
: an aspect or quality (as resemblance or causality) that connects two or more things or parts as being or belonging or working together, as being of the same kind, or as being logically connected
the strong relation between genotype and phenotype—Anne M. Glazier et al.
Anne M. Glazier et al.2
: the attitude or stance which two or more persons or groups assume toward one another
race relations
3
a
: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested (as in social matters)
b
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share